Members of this fall's MNGT 411 class were able to safely return in person to local nonprofits to complete service projects. Though the past two semesters' of virtual service projects taught us that meaningful service does not require volunteers to be in person, it's always a unique opportunity to visit with nonprofit professionals and tour their organizations.
Toward the end of the semester, the Community Engagement group facilitated Service Project Reflection Day, where we shared and processed our experiences, plus brainstormed how we might serve in the future.
The group also shared that volunteer service currently has a value of $28.54/hour, according to the Independent Sector, a national organization that serves and studies the charitable sector. Using that figure, our semester's service (147 hours) resulted in a total financial impact of $4,195.38!
This semester we completed the following service projects:
--The BAY: painted logos on the walls of the indoor skatepark
--City Impact: added all library books into cataloging system to enhance inventory and check-out processes
--Clinic With a Heart: interviewed patients by phone, then wrote up experiences in testimonials/stories
--Educare Lincoln: assisted with drive-up food distribution and distributed refreshments at car seat safety check
--Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools: addressed hundreds of envelopes for donor thank you messages
--Friendship Home: raked leaves and helped with seasonal clean-up
--The HUB: Central Access Point for Young Adults: organized clothing and household goods donations
--Lighthouse: cleaned and sanitized areas throughout the building
--Lincoln Children's Museum: assembled scary house kits (like gingerbread houses for Halloween), a fundraiser for the museum
--Morrill Hall: organized and inventoried educational program supplies