"Fall into Volunteering Fair" helps students give back

Students at the University of Illinois Springfield got a chance to give back to the community through service.

The Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center hosted its second annual "Fall into Volunteering Fair" on September 23, 2010 in the Public Affairs Center lobby. The fair is designed to give students an opportunity to meet local non-profit groups and become volunteers.

“I think it’s a good way for us to get out in the community, get our feet wet and see what connections we can make, but also apply what we’re learning here,” said Andrea Montague, a junior Clinical Laboratory Science major.

The fair featured nearly 20 groups from the community who deal with a variety of charitable needs.

“(Volunteering) makes you feel more connected and makes you feel like you’re more involved,” said Jordan Jeffers, UIS volunteer services coordinator.

Jeffers says there are many benefits to volunteering; besides the good feeling you get from helping out. Volunteering can help student’s meet new friends and the experience looks great on a resume.

“I’m looking to obviously make some friends and connections, learn key things for my future and probably for my future job,” said Luis Rojas, a freshman Clinical Laboratory Science major.

UIS Housing and the Experiential and Service-Learning Program also sponsored the fair. For more information on volunteer opportunities at UIS visit the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center website.