ACCC Students Showcase Importance of Volunteerism

COURT HOUSE — They don’t receive a salary and sometime work long hours, but with-out the dedication of volunteers, who would walk the dogs at the shelter, organize blood drives, shelve canned goods or serve hot lunches?
Despite not receiving a paycheck, students at Atlantic Cape Community College’s Cape May County Campus said they found volunteering rewarding and were interested to find out how they could help local agencies at a Wednesday, March 4 volunteering fair.
The event was hosted by the campus Ambassadors Club, a group that been in existence for about a year and made up of 10 ACCC students and their faculty adviser Lisa Apel-Gendron. The club has spearheaded many volunteering efforts and fundraising efforts throughout the campus, but students thought bringing organizations to would showcase the number of agencies that rely on people giving of their time.
Christine Rodia, Melissa Jett, Laura Sansone, sophomore members for the club, said they were impressed with the student turnout and response from the various organizations.
Twenty-five groups were invited to and 13 attended.
“A lot of people have been going around,” said Rodia. “Professors are even bringing their students as part of the class.”
Georgina Dougherty, who was representing the Coalition Against Rape and Abuse, said that she had several students take applications.
“They were filled out an returned to me after the class let out,” she said.
Michele Knoebel, a volunteer for Beacon Animal Rescue, was also happy with the enthusiasm that the students had.
“There is always work available,” she said. “We’re just happy we’re getting people to fill that need.”
The reasons for volunteering were as different as the individuals who signed up to donate their time.
“It really is fun to volunteer,” said Rodia. “You can have a good time doing it, meeting people and helping out.”
“Employers and colleges like to see volunteer experience,” noted Jett.
“And it is surprising how rewarding it can be,” added Sansone.
Laurel Nuschke, the assistant director of the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Funds, said it was important to reach out to younger people because they represent the future of the organization.
But for those not familiar with giving up their time for a good cause, Sansone said it could be difficult getting the message of how important volunteering could be.
“We’re used to it and see all the benefits,” she said of the members of the club.
The purpose of the fair is to put he groups that rely on volunteers right under the nose of students who may have otherwise dismissed the thought of donating their time.
The literature, photos and even a simple story from the groups represented seemed to be doing the trick as many students opted to peruse the tables instead of rushing to the café for lunch or heading home after their afternoon class.
“What people don’t realize is that they can really make a difference even if they volunteer for an hour,” said Sansone.
Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com