Ever since I began doing a Service project with SVS it has opened my eyes to all the different things that go on around the Muncie community without me knowing it. When I decided to sign up as a tutor at the Ross Community Center, I never imagined what went on there and how much of an impact I could make and they make on me. But after only four weeks of going there, I have learned so much, and hopefully I have helped the kids in return.

The Ross Community Center is a place where children can go after school, have fun, relax, get their homework done, and know it is a safe place to be. The place is a little run down, but the kids do not mind. This is their fun place for the day. There are usually four to ten kids at the center when we go, and oh how they love us when we arrive. They want attention so bad because they lack it at their home lives and probably school, so this is our opportunity to give it to them. Sometimes some of the older girls need attention way too much and start chanting profanity and start fights just so they can get our attentions. It works, but we have learned to just ignore those comments and actions, because we know they are just for show.

When I started tutoring, I told myself not to get too attached. I was there to help the kids with their homework and have a good time with them after their homework was completed, but I did get attached to one girl in particular. Her name is Casey. When I first saw Casey my heart went out to her, because she was so sweet and a little quieter than the rest. Her sister was the one who always make the obscene gestures, but Casey would just sit there and watch. From that moment on I decided I was going to invest my time into her whenever she was there. So whenever Casey is at the Ross Center, I make it my goal to play, talk, and help her. I know if I put my time and effort into her little by little she will definitely get something out of my visits.

I believe my weekly visits to the Ross Community Center have made me realize that I need to be thankful for what I have. I see these kids trying to take all the extra erasers or pencils that we bring for them or how they get so excited whenever someone brings in something new that they do not have. I just appreciate life more. I am also more thankful for my parents’ good upbringing they gave me. I see these children and how they cuss and do things that I would never have thought to do in my elementary years or even middle school years; ok I still do not do them. I am just so thankful for having a good upbringing from my family. I always took that for granted and sometimes got mad at my parents for being too strict, but when I look back I am glad they were.
I believe that I am impacting Muncie little by little. I feel that if I can reach the kids and try to show them through my actions ways to behave. I am not saying they are bad kids, I feel like they just need some guidance. Therefore I believe I am impacting Muncie’s future generation little by little, which is all anyone person can really do.

-Michelle Ripley
Ross Community Center Volunteer

Welcome Back

It is good to be back!!

Hello! My name is Leander Kauffman and I am the Vice President of Student Voluntary Services! I am so excited to get this year underway. We have big things planned for SVS and for Ball State!

Before school even started, the executive board and staff of SVS met together to create some goals for the organization. These goals include creating more recreational programs, creating an Arbor Day themed program and involving area high schools in a program or two. If you would like to learn more about the SVS goals and how you can be a part in those, please stop by our office (SC 118). We would all love to get to know you!

This past weekend, all of the staff and students that comprise Student Voluntary Services met together to review rules and regulations, to discuss where SVS is going this year, and, most importantly, to have fun! We all played games, worked on activities and listened to all of the important information that allows SVS to run smoothly. SVS would not be the same without each PC and this year we have the best students on campus, in my opinion, involved in SVS. This year is going to be exciting!!

Student Voluntary Services is a student organization focused on community service in and around Muncie. SVS has programs for all students on campus ranging from tutoring elementary school children, visiting with nursing home residents or helping out at ARF (Animal Rescue Fund). There are weekly coordinated programs, in which SVS provides transportation, independent programs, for which the volunteer provides transportation, and One Time Events which occur once throughout the academic year. All of these programs are open to all students on campus. I would love to invite each and every Ball State student personally, but that is not possible, so I hope that you will accept this blog post as a sincere invitation to come check us out.

Come join our family!

Hollywood to Host I Participate Week

Beginning October 19th, several television channels will incorporate volunteerism into their scripts. The Entertainment Industry Foundation is working closely with several shows in Hollywood to highlight volunteerism in a variety of ways. Some of the ways volunteerism will be showcased include: story lines in scripts, highlighting real-life volunteers, some will air public-service announcements, and some will ask cast members to create a "tag" at the end of a show to encourage volunteerism.
One particular show, Parks and Recreation, will be host to a real-life charity organization, KaBoom. KaBoom, an organization in Washington that assists with building playgrounds and other forms of recreation spaces, began contacting executives as soon as information about the show was released.
Watch Monday as over 60 television programs highlight volunteerism. Some of the participating channels include: NBC, CBS, ABC, and the Disney Channel. For the full article, follow the link below:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2009-10-12-tv-shows-participate-volunteer_N.htm

21st Lend-A-Hand Day Lent a Very Large Hand!

This past Saturday, March 28th, was the 21st Annual Lend-A-Hand Day. During this event, we had 18 volunteers who logged almost 100 volunteer hours. The purpose of the event was to help those in need by collecting toiletries, cleaning supplies, baby items, and used clothes, and take them down to the YWCA to distribute. During this event, we had 106 Muncie/Delaware County residents come through our doors. Each one of them left saying thank you and smiling as they walked out the door.

If you wanted to donate to LAHD and did not get the chance to do so this year, you're in luck! SVS holds this event every year, so you will definitely have the chance to participate in next year's event.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to make this event a success! You're appreciated!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking for more opportunities for volunteer service or service learning hours, here are some events that we have coming up!

Lend-A-Hand Day: Saturday, March 28th, 8am-2pm

Yorktown Spring Carnival: Saturday, April 4th, 3pm-8pm

Spring Luau: Saturday, April 14th, 2pm-6pm

Second Saturday Service Project at Second Harvest Foodbank: Saturday, April 25th, 8:15am-1pm

You can sign up for any or all of these events on the SVS website. Search under "one-time/short-term events."

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 285-3476 or email svs@bsu.edu.

Alternative Breaks to Fundraise for Trip to St. Louis

The SVS Alternative Breaks program is in the final blitz of fundraising for their trip to St. Louis, MO during the 2009 Spring Break, March 8-14th. During their time in St. Louis , they will be engaging in several community service projects, team-buliding exercises, and having lots of fun!


If you would like to help support the Alternative Breaks program and what they will do for the St. Louis community, please attend one of the following events:

T-Shirt Sale/Bake Sale: February 25th, 26th, 27th, Teachers College concourse 10am-5pm

Waffle Sale: 10pm-12am in Studebaker West residence hall 1st floor lobby

Lend A Hand Day to Collect for Needy Families

On March 28, 2009, Student Voluntary Services will hold its 21st Annual Lend-A-Hand Day at the YWCA. This event is designed to benefit the needy families of the Muncie and Delware County communities by giving them the chance to shop for gently used clothes, cleaning supplies, and baby items. SVS has deposited collection barrels all over the BSU campus for students and faculty members to donate. Each Friday throughout the semester, SVS students and volunteers will collect the donated items. Collections will continue until March 20, 2009.

If you or your organization would like to donate to Lend-A-Hand Day, you may drop off your items in the Student Center room 118.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email svs@bsu.edu, or call 765-285-3476.