Programs like the Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, as well as honors programs, require that students complete a certain amount of volunteering and community engagement hours.
Since the country was put in lockdown, many students were unable to complete their required volunteer hours last semester. Others simply enjoy volunteering and helping others. Here are a few organizations and programs that are still accepting volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Harvest Food Bank will always welcome canned goods that come their way. Volunteers can drop off canned and pre-packaged goods at any Second Harvest location, or at a local participating church.
Operation Christmas Child is an excellent seasonal activity to get involved with. Though it does not count toward volunteering, if you have $10 to spare you can make a difference in the life of an underprivileged child in another country. By filling up a shoe box with small items that we regard as cheap, you may be giving a child the only gift they will ever receive.
Marsh Regional Blood Center is one of the places that desperately needs assistance. All who are able are encouraged to donate blood or plasma, which may help save a life. Blood drives used to be held regularly on campus but have been cancelled due to social distancing concerns.
Those who have recovered from COVID-19 are especially encouraged to donate their blood and plasma, which contains antibodies to the virus. The plasma is then given to the patients who are affected by the novel coronavirus in the hospital in an attempt to help them recover faster.
Volunteering should not have to be a pain, but trying to find a place to volunteer as a student trying to get hours in has become just that in 2020. Hopefully this semester will be better than the last in this regard.
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