Volunteer Valdosta Week, Oct. 24-30

VALDOSTA -- The Office of Volunteer Services and Parent Programs has partnered with various on and off campus community groups to host a week of volunteer opportunities for the VSU community.

“We have so many wonderful volunteer organizations in town, and so many willing students, faculty and staff eager to give their time and resources to help those in need,” said Ann Lacey, director of the Volunteer Services. “This week is all about highlighting what the VSU community does and can do for the region.”

Sunday, Oct. 24 -- KICKOFF

Soles4Souls -- an organization that donates shoes to those in need -- will show a documentary from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given distributed more than 10 million pairs, or one pair every seven seconds, of new and gently worn shoes to people throughout the world.

Fall Festival -- The Office of Greek Life and various fraternities and sororities will host a fall festival from 1-4 p.m. on the Front Lawn. The event will feature game and activities for area children. There will also be a clothing drive for The Haven, during the event, which provides emergency shelter and services for victims of family violence and sexual assault.

Monday, Oct. 25 -- DRUG PREVENTION

Drug Free Celebration -- Students, advocating against drug abuse, will greet those on campus from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with high-fives, smiles and a red ribbon in celebration of Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 17-25, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. The 2010 Red Ribbon Theme is “I am Drug Free. Lock Your Meds” due to recent surveys that indicate teens said that prescription drugs were easier to buy than beer. For more information about Red Ribbon Week, go to http://www.nfp.org/ .

Get Involved! -- Various community groups and campus departments will have information tables from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the first floor of the Student Union. Stop by to find out how you can get involved in the community.

Community Center Fall Festival -- The Valdosta Housing Authority will host a community volunteer fair from 2-6 p.m. at the Community Center, 610 E. Ann St. Festival organizers need 25 student volunteers for either set-up from 2-4 p.m. or during the event from 4-6 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, emailvolunteer@valdosta.edu or call 333-5941.

Tues. Oct. 26 -- SAVING LIVES

VSU vs. West Georgia Blood Drive -- Valdosta State University’s Office of Volunteer Services and Parent Programs has teamed up with the American Red Cross to host the VSU vs. West Georgia Blood Drive from 12:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the Student Union Ballroom. Read more at http://www.valdosta.edu/news/releases/westgablood.100810 .
Free t-shirts to donors!


Wed., Oct. 27 -- HUNGER AND HEALTH AWARENESS

Blazer Pantry Grand Opening -- Come celebrate the opening of the Blazer Pantry, a food pantry for students unable to purchase basic necessities, during a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on the third floor of the Student Union. Refreshments will follow at a Blazer Pantry Celebration at noon on the first floor of the Student Union.

Langdale Place Fall Festival -- Langdale Place will hold a fall festival for its residents from 2-4 p.m. The assisted living facility, located at 2720 Windemere Dr., needs at least 10 students to help with the event.

Thurs., Oct. 28 -- VOLUNTEERISM

"Quota Listening Tour" -- Patti Sutton, district governor of the Quota Club, will speak at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre about the importance of volunteering and ways that students may get involved with the organization’s 2010-11 Listening Tour -- a campaign to gain information from 18-35 year-olds about what they want out of a service organization.

Sutton’s talk will be followed by a student panel discussion. Please contact Volunteer Services if you would like to be one of the 6-10 students chosen for the panel, which will discuss ways in which young adults want to get involved with service. The discussion will last until 8 p.m.

Tootsie Roll Drive -- Come purchase a tootsie roll during the annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive from 9:30-10:30 a.m., 11:00-11:50 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Student Union. Money raised during the event will benefit people with intellectual disabilities.

Friday, Oct. 29 -- EDUCATION DRUG AWARENESS DAY

Ribbon Donations -- Student Action Council will provide red ribbons for Lowndes Middle School to pass out in recognition of Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. Students will also serve as guest readers at Lowndes Middle School.

Saturday, Oct. 30 -- ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

Langdale Park Clean Up -- The Valdosta Parks and Recreation department needs volunteers willing to get their hands dirty by renovating hiking trails, building boardwalks and other related tasks from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Langdale Park, off North Valdosta Rd. Volunteers are encouraged to wear pants and bring work gloves. Call Andrew or Greg at 229-333-1861 or e-mail them at afterschoolprgm@mchsi.com for more information.