Students pitch in to clean park, be good neighbors
Students took time out of their weekends to be good neighbors in Mount Pleasant Saturday.
Volunteer Central and the Student Government Association sponsored “Be My Neighbor Day,” an event designed to assist community organizations.
“The purpose is to help out local agencies and give back to the people that are helping others in the community,” said Kristy List, a Volunteer Central student assistant.
The Freeland senior said many volunteer opportunities were held outside because of Earth Day.
Joel Berlin helped stain the Timber Town playground at Island Park with his fellow Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers.
“It’s important for students at Central Michigan University to give back to the community while they’re here – even if they don’t live here (year-round),” the Midland junior said. “It’s something the whole community can enjoy and that will last a long time.”
The Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams St., depends on volunteers, said Jane Wilsher, a lead cook at the organization every other Saturday.
“You never know when you walk in how many people will be volunteering or how many people you’ll be serving,” she said. “It’s great having (the student volunteers) here.”
Approximately 15 student volunteers helped serve breakfast to patrons at the soup kitchen Saturday.
Volunteers also are an important part of daily life at Tendercare – Mount Pleasant, 1524 Portabella Trail, said Amy Smith, life enrichment assistant.
They assist with bingo and crafts as well as visiting residents who cannot leave their rooms at the long-term care facility, she said.
“It makes a big impact on their lives,” Smith said. “The residents get that one-on-one personal socialization.”
Missouri senior Dallas Mandy visited with residents Saturday morning.
“I like to work with the elderly,” she said. “That’s what I want to do as a career.”
Volunteers also worked with the local Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Industries, the Commission on Aging and Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation among others.
Illinois senior Josh Phillips volunteered at the soup kitchen Saturday.
“The best part is getting to work for all these people who got up at 7 (a.m.) on a Saturday,” he said.
There are many ongoing opportunities to volunteer through community organizations and Volunteer Central.
“With volunteering, it’s not about how much money you make,” said Craig Torgerson, Volunteer Central student assistant and Lake Isabella senior. “If you touch one or two lives, then they can touch more lives.”
