Student United Way hosts spring service project
Student United Way and volunteers packaging kits in an assembly line fashion.
Student United Way at Central Michigan University is teaming up with Compassionate Care Network this spring to package and deliver 300 personal hygiene kits to families in need.
The hygiene kits consist of washcloths, soap, combs, shampoo, conditioner, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste. These items are bought in bulk by Student United Way, who raised funds for the project. The kits will be distributed at Mount Pleasant Community Church this weekend during the Mobile Pantry on April 25.
“While volunteering at the hygiene project myself and about seven other students worked together to package these kits,” said Midland sophomore Kallie Schloemann. “We worked like an assembly line and filled around 300 bags with items such as shampoo and conditioner.”
The organization starts a project at the beginning of every semester, hoping to make a lasting impact on the community. Student United Way received a grant through the worldwide organization to work on more projects benefiting others in the community.
“We chose personal hygiene kits by thinking a lot about what people already do in the community,” said Shelby Township senior and president of Student United Way Michael Snider. “There is already a lot emphasis on other needs such as food and shelter, but we wanted to go above and beyond that. Everyone uses the hygiene products we’ve provided and it just makes it more accessible for struggling families.”
By working with Mount Pleasant’s Community Compassion Network, students have a medium for their service. The targeted population for this project is families below the poverty line. Other students are able to volunteer with Student United Way.
“Being able to volunteer for the sake of families in need always feels amazing,” Schloemann said. “Sometimes we take advantage of all of our privileges and don’t really pay attention to how much our community is struggling. It was nice to be able to take time out of my day and help those in need.”
The mission of Student United Way is to encourage the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism among emerging student leaders across Isabella County. They work closely with United Way of Mount Pleasant and help the community in multiple ways.
"Doing volunteer work like this is important because it's good for people to be engaged in their community," Snider said. "They’ll have to work in the real world eventually and this is a way to get started. Students who are more involved in the community gain skills they'll need in the future. Plus, the work is very beneficial for the volunteer and the people we're assisting."
