While most University of Memphis students are sleeping in on Saturday mornings, sophomore Rosio Gonzalez is giving back to her community.Gonzalez is one of the many volunteers within Students Advocating
Service (SAS) who participates in "Service on Saturday" once a month."I just do it because I'm in this organization, and I feel like I can make such an impact within the Memphis city limits," said Gonzalez.
"Just getting there and doing something they need help with can really have an empowering impact."
Junior Nina Bowie has volunteered for the monthly event over the past two years.
"I had a friend in SAS and I saw an ad in the paper and decided to help out one Saturday and have continued helping since then," said Bowie. "My favorite project was a nursing home where we played games with the (residents) and did other activities they didn't normally get to do."
Other U of M students said outside responsibilities keep them from volunteering their time.
"Since I work on Saturday mornings, I really don't have time," said Tim Powell, senior English major. "I would definitely be interested if it were another day and time."
Some students are even unaware of volunteering opportunities.
"I'd be willing to do the service, but I've never known about it," said Courtney Smith, freshman accounting major.
"Service on Saturday," which is co-sponsored by the Student Activities Council, was established in the spring of 2001 to bring a different perspective to service, said SAS officials.For this year's service projects, officials really want to emphasize camaraderie between volunteers.
"We're really trying to focus on prompting discussion after the events within groups, so students feel like they're getting something more out of volunteering," said Alicia McClure, president of SAS.Each event includes about 80 to 90 students, who can choose from 10 to 12 project sites.
Signing up before the Saturday of the event is highly advised, said McClure.
"Students that did not sign up before the Saturday event are sometimes turned away, because we can only put so many people at each project site," she said.
Site projects vary from month to month and include Habitat for Humanity, Memphis City Beautiful, Memphis Humane Society and National Civil Rights Museum.
Students interested in lending some extra time to a good cause can go to UC 425 to sign up for the next event being held on Saturday, Oct. 23. Along with a free breakfast and lunch, transportation also will be provided.
