UIS students to help three Springfield groups during annual Welcome Week Service-A-Thon

The University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center is hosting a Welcome Week Service-A-Thon to give students a chance to learn about service and give back to the community.

Students can choose to work various shifts throughout the day on Friday, August 31 in Springfield. This year the project will benefit three local organizations: Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, Springfield School District 186’s AVID tutoring program, and Hospital Sister’s Mission Outreach.

• Students working with Habitat will help prepare and build a house located on North 5th Street, a block South of North Grand Ave., in Springfield. They will also spend time at the Habitat ReStore (1514 W. Jefferson St., Springfield) helping organize and prepare resalable items.
• AVID tutoring program volunteers will be aiding teachers in 4 schools (Southeast, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington), as they prepare the students and the materials required for the students to be successful in the AVID program.
• Students working at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (4849 Laverna Rd., Springfield) will be sorting medical supplies for shipment to places worldwide that are in need of specific supplies.

Each project falls under one of the UIS Volunteer &Civic Engagement Center’s areas of priority (Habitat – Hunger and Homelessness, AVID – youth and education, and Mission Outreach – public health).

Media covering the Service-A-Thon should call Derek Schnapp, director of Public Relations, on Aug. 31 to confirm locations and times at 217/206-6716.