Service LearningBy: Brittany Bronson

Freshmen Year Experience

Community Service

Definition: a service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions

I have learned a lot over the past year about volunteering/community service.

Helping people is a way to give back and get involved in your community.

Freshmen Year Experience is a great way to get involved in Valdosta’s community, especially if you are not from the area.

Getting to know your town can help out quite a bit!

Benefits of Service Learning

Increased access to the range of supports and opportunities they need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

Increased sense of self-efficacy, as young people learn that they can impact real social challenges, problems, and needs.

Higher academic achievement and interest in furthering their education.

Enhanced problem-solving skills, ability to work in teams, and planning abilities.

Enhanced civic engagement attitudes, skills and behaviors.

http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/cb_facts/benefits_cbosl/

Blazer Raiser!

Blazer Raiser

The Blazer Raiser was a VSU tennis fundraiser that invited sponsors to come eat and socialize, while the tennis team was auctioned off to play on teams for the fundraiser tennis match.

I helped take money and tickets at the door and made sure all the tennis members went to the right auctioners.

Fall Ball

The fall ball was a fun, halloween party thrown for Normal Life of Valdosta, GA.

Normal Life is an organization that specializes in aiding special needs young and older adults.

The FYE program funded a party to help make their lives normal and fun.

Adopt-A-highway

Adopt-A-Highway

This community service project is an ongoing event and anyone can participate.

Adults and children pick up trash and help keep the community, as well as the environment clean and healthy.

Relay for Life

Relay for Life

Relay is a fundraiser to help America’s Cancer foundation.

This event takes place once every April all over the country.

There are a lot of fundraisers and events prior to Relay to help spread the word.

Luminaries are placed around the track in memory of the loved ones taken by cancer.

Food Bank

Food Bank

The Food Bank was a community service project that involved delivering food to less fortunate families in Valdosta.

I had a lot of fun working with the people at Food Bank and learned that everyone can do their part and help.