Listen Here
By Adrianna Valentine
valentinea1@findlay.edu
What if one of the most valuable lessons a college student learns is not taught in a classroom? What if it is through acts of kindness, volunteering, and helping others? In the world of college, grades and classes often take priority, but what if you make time for even just an hour to make an impact and brighten someone’s day with a small act of kindness?
Students at the University of Findlay are proving that getting involved and giving back is not just changing others’ lives; it’s changing theirs, too. Through the Buford Center, students can find thoughtful ways to get involved, from helping children with disabilities to museum tours, or even helping at a food pantry event.
Alex Parker, assistant director of campus and community engagement, said the answer to how to start volunteering is simply to just start getting yourself involved.
“I send out emails every week with volunteer opportunities,” Parker said. “If a student already has an idea of what they want to do, they can schedule a meeting with me, and we’ll find something that fits.”
Parker works in the Buford Center, helping students connect volunteering with their passions and future careers. Some advice he would give to a student who wants to volunteer but doesn’t know how to start is to find something that appeals to you.
“Focus on what you’re interested in, if you want to help, or don’t know how. There are plenty of people to ask. If you are scared, ask a friend to come with you, or talk to me, and I can help find something. Most organizations will not be offended if you try it and don’t like it. Trying things out, that’s the best way to find it.”
That is exactly what sophomore equestrian studies major Sarah Giknis has done. She has taken her passion, faith, and future career and turned them into giving back. As a pre-vet and western equestrian student, Giknis has more than 200 volunteer hours at WLD Ranch, a horseback riding Christian summer camp in Erie, Pennsylvania, and an Animal Ark Hospital, which is also in Erie, Pennsylvania. She got hands-on experience with her future career, while also enjoying her passion for horses and practicing her faith.
“I chose the ranch because it’s a non-profit organization and it’s a Christian camp, and I also chose the hospital because I want to do vet school after I graduate college, and I need a certain number of volunteer hours for vet school.”
Morgan Wessel, also a sophomore western equestrian student, shares the same passion for horses as Giknis. She volunteered at Venango Area Riding for the Handicapped Association (VARHA) in Franklin, Pennsylvania, a therapeutic riding center, helping children with disabilities become confident in the saddle while also building their muscles.
“I remember at first I was nervous but excited at the same time,” Wessel said. “I learned so much there, and the team was very welcoming and made me feel so at home.”
Wessel explains that she loved volunteering here because she could be around horses but also help others, which she really enjoyed. She would like to be more involved in school-related events as well. Although she thinks UF could do a better job getting the word out to students about volunteering opportunities.
“Through email is good, but maybe trying Instagram posts, and other social media outreaches, I think students will be better able to stay in the loop.”
Students interested can visit the University of Findlay’s Service and Community Engagement or explore some of the volunteer places around by simply doing a Google search. For example, some places that are looking for volunteers around Findlay are Challenged Champions, or Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County.
