Posted on Mon, Feb. 05, 2007
Volunteering
rises on campuses
More than 3 million students nationwide are giving
time and effort to help others.
By MARç ROSE WILLIAMS
The Kansas City Star
Twice a year, University of Central Missouri marketing students start a
business to learn what itÕs like to run one. Then they give away all their
profits.
Central Warmth, the student company that senior Dane Power led, earned
more than $6,000 this winter selling stainless-steel coffee mugs. Every penny
went to Project Warmth, which provides winter clothing to the needy. Other
students gave 337 volunteer hours to the charity.
Another student company at the University of Central Missouri in
Warrensburg gave its profits to the Salvation Army. In three years, students in
the universityÕs Integrative Business Experience program have donated more than
$30,000 to charities.
TodayÕs college students are raising more money for charity than ever
before, say Missouri and Kansas university student life officials. Voluntarism
among that age group is driving a national upswing in volunteering, experts
say.
ÒTheir philanthropic spirit has increased dramatically over the past
year,Ó said Heather Hildebrand, student services coordinator at the University
of Missouri-Kansas City. ÒÉ They are going above and beyond.Ó
Nationally, the rate of volunteering among college-age people has
doubled since 1989, said Norris West, a spokesman for the Corporation for
National & Community Service.
The corporationÕs 2006 study on college student volunteerism in the
United States found that the number of students volunteering grew from 2.7
million in 2002 to 3.3 million in 2005.
Greek organizations in particular, Hildebrand said, are leaders when it
comes to fundraising. In the 2005-2006 school year, UMKC fraternities and
sororities raised more than $60,000 by holding about one fundraising event a
week. One of the biggest fundraisers is Relay for Life, a 12-hour event to
raise money for cancer research. In 2004-2005, the event brought in $43,000;
last year the take was $48,000.
Last school year, students at Northwest Missouri State University in
Maryville raised nearly $44,000 for St. Jude ChildrenÕs Research Hospital in
Memphis, Tenn., as part of a national college-student effort called Up Õtil
Dawn.
The University of Kansas has one of the largest student-run
philanthropic efforts in the country. Rock Chalk Revue, a student variety show,
raised more than $34,000 last school year for the United Way of Douglas County.
Hildebrand thinks that increased student giving stems from high school
graduation requirements for community service and national Greek organizations
encouraging campus chapters to donate to the community.
University officials say most giving by students is in the form of
community service.
Missouri is one of the top 10 states for college studentsÕ volunteering,
according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Students said that although it may be easier to toss a buck in a bucket
than carve out a few hours to tutor, collect canned goods or help build a
house, volunteering is the only way that many can afford to give.
ÒMost of the students we ran into while we were selling coffee mugs had
more of a charitable heart than they had money in their pockets,Ó Central
MissouriÕs Power said. ÒThey would say, ÔI donÕt have $15 for a mug, but IÕd
like to help Ó out. What can I do?Õ
Tips for college students who want to
volunteer:
¥Rely on word of mouth, the best way to learn about opportunities.
¥Use volunteer time as an opportunity to explore career options.
¥Contact different organizations to find out about one-time events
happening every month to get an introduction to an agency.
¥Commit to a project, but donÕt overcommit yourself.
¥Check out www.volunteer.gov for
opportunities in your area.
¥Contact your student services office to find opportunities on campus.
¥Take an alternative spring break by volunteering in a place with
special needs.
¥Meet new people while youÕre volunteering.
¥Ask your friends to help.
¥Use your skills.
Source: Corporation for National & Community Service
To reach Mar‡ Rose Williams, call
(816) 234-4419 or send e-mail to mdwilliams@kcstar.com.