Editor’s Note
What a Feeling!
By Marion Harmon
I noticed an interesting phenomenon when interviewing students
about the community service they have become involved with while
at CSU, Chico. The moment they began talking about their volunteer
work, their eyes lit up, they sat up straighter, and their words
came much faster. Whether it was talking about sororities helping
high school girls pick out donated prom dresses or explaining how
a Make-a-Wish fund-raiser helped make dreams come true for local
children, the students became as animated as if they were talking
about winning the lottery.
Elissa Moody, vice president of philanthropy and community service
for the Panhellenic Council, says there are many reasons for student
organizations to be involved with community service, among them
teaching students that the world doesn’t revolve around them. “That’s
why I love community service, because you are so blatantly reminded
that your world is not just you,” notes Moody. “Other
people out there have needs and desires, and you can help them.
What a great feeling!”
That feeling is experienced thousands of times a year in the greater
community, both by the student volunteers and those who benefit
from their hard work.
“Every kid deserves to smile, no matter what,” says
student volunteer Jorge Jimenez, and it’s clear that he is
committed to making that happen as often as he can. Performing
volunteer
work during the college years enhances students’ commitment
to social activism and involvement in the community after college,
according to a study by the Higher Education Research Institute.
After reading the articles in this issue on student service organizations,
I think you’ll see that Chico students are well on their
way to a lifelong commitment to their communities.
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