Photo, courtesy of UC Staff
By Erica Dick
Every student who attends The University of the Cumberlands is required to earn community service hours before graduation. Community service is defined as any volunteer work intended to help people in a certain area. UC Engage is a course at UC where students must volunteer to spend time serving the community. PATS SERVE offers many volunteer options for students; there are always various organizations and charities one can support. However, community service extends past these options. The local community can benefit from volunteers in Williamsburg and surrounding areas in countless ways.
The closest off-campus opportunity to volunteer is at the Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center (also known as the Williamsburg Nursing Home), which is five minutes from campus. The Rehabilitation Center always seeks people to volunteer time, money, and supplies. Help can be offered individually or in groups at the Nursing Home. Some residents need more time and attention than others, so volunteers can play bingo, assist staff in preparing and assisting residents at mealtimes, have casual conversations with residents, or leave encouraging and thoughtful notes for residents and staff alike. These quick and easy ideas help benefit everyone present at The Rehabilitation Center.
For animal lovers, a great way to serve the community could be to help at the Knox-Whitley Humane Association. Located in Corbin, this shelter cares for both dogs and cats. The staff works hard to feed, walk, bathe, and show attention to the animals. The Humane Association is always open to volunteers to help with these daily tasks. This project can be done individually or in groups. In addition to donating time, the shelter constantly needs monetary and supply donations. Items such as dry and wet food (for cats and dogs), soap, newspapers, and litter are always accepted.
Another community service project is to help clean up the outdoors. On the Cumberland Falls website, under the “Things to Do” tab, there is an option to volunteer or to donate. Volunteers can get a list of tasks and descriptions once on the website’s volunteer page. Anyone interested can then download and fill out an application attached to the website. More opportunities and information about other Kentucky State Parks are available through a link on the page. Donations to several parks and campsites other than Cumberland Falls are accepted online.
Although individuals can volunteer alone, group projects and events can make the experience more enjoyable. On campus, many clubs and honors societies serve the local community. Community service and donation opportunities are readily available by being involved in these organizations. The Cumberlands’ Student Government Association also has a Community Service Committee that spends time planning projects to help those in the local area. If you want to get involved in aiding the community, UC’s campus is an excellent place to start.
In every community and town, there is always a need for kindness and generosity. The need for people willing and able to help others is one reason The University of the Cumberlands requires students to earn forty hours of community service before graduation.
In addition to helping others and getting service hours, community service is an experience that rewards each volunteer personally. Volunteers can meet new people, gain new experiences, and learn lessons that will last a lifetime and benefit everyone involved by offering to spend time serving others who need assistance.
