Helping the community can be so fun and easy that you don’t even feel like you’re doing work! Whether you need hours for a class or organization or you just like helping others, Clemson University and the surrounding area offers some really great opportunities. Between classes and hunkering down in Cooper into the wee hours of the night, everyone has a spare hour or two to donate some time to those in need.
Some organizations on in the area are run year round while others host annual events. These events are an exciting way to get friends together and have fun while helping out a cause, whether it’s passing out candy to children in need or running in a race to support those Clemson students who we’ve lost. But then they’re students who might be looking to spend more quality time with one particular organization, and Clemson has that too! It all depends what you’re interested in!
*Don’t forget, they’re also so many sorority and fraternity philanthropy events happening right on campus that may count as service opportunities too! And for most events, you don’t have to be involved in Greek life to participate.
Circle K International Feed the Hunger Event
On October 26th, there will be a pack-a-thon held in Fike gym to pack non-perishable meals for children suffering from hunger. The meals that will be packed are healthy and contain nutrients for the recipients. Their goal is to pack $50,000 worth of meals! This is right on campus and is a great way to help families right in our community.
Clemson Student Memorial 5K
Unfortunately we have lost too many of our great Tigers and this annual event gives us a chance to remember and RUN for those no longer with us. This year the memorial 5K will be held October 27th at 2pm, this event is to benefit the Student Memorial Project, registration is $25 and you can sign up right here: http://clemsonstudentmemorial5…
Trick-or-Treat So Others May Eat
Looking to bring back your childhood and go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween this year? Instead of getting a bunch of candy why not collect cans for our local food pantry, Clemson Community Care. Clemson Campus Ministers Association is sponsoring this event on Halloween and you can even wear costumes.
The Animal Rescue Fund
It doesn’t get much better than playing with kittens and puppies for hours of community service! ARF is a small animal shelter on the premises of FoxNest Veterinary in Seneca, just a short drive from campus. You can go there any time and help them walk the dogs, clean their cages, or play with the kittens in their rooms. The animals are super friendly and love to be socialized!
Clemson Community Care
Helping people in our very own community is important! Clemson has a food bank that is always in need of volunteers. You can help package or sort goods and maybe even meet some of the families the food is going to and be rewarded for your hard work with their smiles and gratitude. If you don’t have the time to volunteer right now, they always are accepting donations of non-perishable goods.
Littlejohn Community Center
Like working with kids? Littlejohn Community Center has an after school program that is always in need of volunteers! You can do anything from tutor to run a club to make crafts with the kids! Its super easy to get to from campus and you can even take the cat bus if you want. This could definitely be a long-term rewarding project!
Clemson Downs
If you want to work with people like this adorable couple, Clemson’s only retirement center needs volunteers! You can have one on one visits with the lovely residents because they love to have people to talk to and get to know. Help plan activities to keep the seniors busy, active and having fun!
Clemson Recycling
Looking to do something for our environment? Recycling is a big movement on campus and to keep it going, they need some volunteers to help at the campus recycling center. You can help sort, label or get the recycled items ready to be moved to a bigger facility. See that all our efforts aren’t going to waste and everything you recycle really is being used to help make our earth cleaner!
These are just some of the many opportunities in and around Clemson for volunteering. They are just waiting for our students to get involved and help the causes they feel most passionate about. There really is something out there for everyone whether you like people or animals or want to donate an hour of time or make a career out of it. Start helping our community today!
Photo Credits:
http://www.lariatnews.com/life/circle-k-international-ivc-1.2820968#.Ul17MBaRZ94
http://apps.carleton.edu/student/orgs/mortarboard/gallery/?image_id=407668
http://www.animalport.com/img/Shelters.jpg
http://www.harvleyarchitecture.com/Projects-Public-Littlejohn.htm
http://features.clemson.edu/creative-services/students/2010/solid-green/
http://media.independentmail.c…