Community Services Fair to be Held

KEENE, N.H. 2/1/02 More than 30 community service organizations will be looking to recruit student volunteers at the Spring Community Service Fair, to be held Tuesday, February 5, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the Student Center atrium at Keene State College.

According to Don Hayes, Community Services Coordinator at KSC, over 800 students volunteered for different organizations during the fall semester. Another 200 are involved in Alternative Spring Break and other regional projects. Most of the volunteer opportunities are focused on the needs of children and the elderly, said Hayes. Some of the organizations expected to attend the Fair include the Big Brother/Big Sister Mentor Program, Keene Community Kitchen, RISE for Baby and Family, Habitat for Humanity and several area elementary schools.

Community service is now being viewed by KSC faculty as a way for students to become involved in their community, said Hayes. More and more faculty are including a service component in their courses, he said. In some cases, services activities are directly related to curriculum goals, with assignments based on the service experience of the students.

In the past, management majors have helped shelter residents manage their personal finances, education majors have visited elementary schools and tutored America Reads and America Counts programs. Some students have prepared and served meals at the Community Kitchen, and others have helped find mentors for children in the Big Brother/Big Sister program.

For more information, call Don Hayes, community services coordinator, at 358-2665.