WVU Tech Service Week to run April 16-21
The WVU Tech community will participate in the University’s annual WVU Tech Service Week April 16-21.
Organized by Laura Lucas, an AmeriCorps VISTA serving on the WVU Tech campus, the week of service coincides with National Volunteer Week.
She said that the week’s events will benefit a number of impactful organizations in the Beckley area.
“We’re helping some important groups that cover a lot of causes, and this is a great time for volunteers to celebrate and for new volunteers to join in. The semester is winding down, so it's a last chance to get together, support our neighbors, get some service hours in and just spend some time with our community," she said.
The following events are still in need of volunteers:
Monday, April 16 (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Serve in Place: Operation Underdog
Students will craft dog toys in the Library for Operation Underdog, an organization that works to foster animals in the local community until they can be placed in a permanent home.
Tuesday, April 17 (12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Head Start Ice Cream Social
Tech volunteers and the Monty the Golden Bear will spend the afternoon with preschoolers at the Raleigh County Head Start.
Wednesday, April 18 (noon – 2:00) Piney Creek Watershed Cleanup Projects
Volunteers will assist the Piney Creek Watershed Association with two litter cleanup projects in preparation for the Earth Day celebration on Saturday.
Thursday, April 19 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) One Voice
Volunteers will work with One Voice to help with miscellaneous projects and to pack bags for the Food for Angels project, which provides weekend meals for students on free or reduced lunch at three regional schools.
Friday, April 20 (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Serve in Place: Women’s Resource Center
Service Week volunteers will meet in the library on campus to help put together packets and other tasks for the Women’s Resource Center in Beckley, which has been helping victims of domestic and sexual violence for 35 years.
Saturday, April 21 (9 a.m. to noon) Earth Day Projects
Volunteers will be partnering with the Piney Creek Watershed Association for their Earth Day celebration and cleanup project on Hartley Avenue. There will also be a group working with Tech Adventures to prepare a trail for the upcoming dedication of the Oak Hill Needleseye Boulder Park.
Candice Stadler, who oversees WVU Tech’s career services and service learning efforts, said that there’s something for everyone.
“If you want to get crafty, help animals, spend time with children, help the environment or simply pack things for folks in need, there's an opportunity for you to spend a little time giving back," she said.
Students, faculty and staff who want to volunteer can sign up on iServe. All hours of service completed will count toward WVU's Million Hour Match program.