National Volunteer Appreciation Week at Lawrence University will occur next week, April 19 through 25. Sponsored by the Volunteer and Community Service Center (VCSC), the week is dedicated to saying “thank you” to Lawrentians who have volunteered their time and calling the campus’s attention to everything volunteers do to improve the Appleton community.
Collectively, Lawrence University volunteers have contributed well over 4,695 hours during the fall and winter terms. Thirteen volunteers in particular have made significant contributions and have been nominated as outstanding volunteers.
Lawrence Assistance Reaching Youth (LARY) mentors Cameron Blegen, Rebecca Stanek, Jennifer Hoff and Bradley Camp have been exceptionally dedicated to their younger buddies, attending after-school programs and impacting the children’s lives positively.
Through the Volunteers in Tutoring at Lawrence (VITAL) Program, Shirley (Yexue) Li, Claire Rocket and Katelyn Hoylman assist their tutees in a variety of subjects, meeting each week at the Seeley Mudd Library.
Casey Sautter, Shannon Newman, Natalie Rose Grattan and Ashley Vokral have demonstrated impressive leadership in student organizations with service components, motivating Lawrence University students to get involved with service projects.
Sylvie Armstrong has volunteered many hours week at the Saving Paws Animal Shelter, and Megan Bjella, passionate about the environment and sustainability, has pursued these passions in sustainable garden projects.
More information about these volunteers’ individual contributions will be displayed in the Seeley Mudd Library during the National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
This past year, two student organizations have shown exceptional commitment to volunteerism: the Lawrence University Hockey Team and Students’ War Against Hunger and Poverty (SWAHP).
During fall term, the Hockey Team contributed well over 276 hours through events such as “Tri-County Goalie Clinic,” “Cutting Edge 2008,” and other various youth-hockey days.
SWAHP has incorporated volunteerism into its goals of hunger and poverty awareness and amelioration through the Alternative Giving Fair, CROP Walk and Salvation Army bell ringing.
The VCSC will honor its volunteers at the Volunteer Recognition Reception on April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Riverview Lounge. Lawrence graduate Jessica Patenaude ’05 will be a guest speaker at the event.
During her time at Lawrence, Patenaude volunteered and interned at the Emergency Shelter. She is now the Almost Home Program Coordinator, the latest program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, helping current Habitat homeowners who are struggling to pay the monthly mortgage and Habitat applicants who have been denied due to lack of financial stability or sufficient employment.
Bringing Volunteerism to the Forefront
