It’s finally spring, Bucs, and as the semester begins to wind down, I invite you to reflect on the following question: when was the last time you volunteered? If you can’t remember, it may be time to roll up your sleeves and get out there. On the other hand, if you’re out there volunteering Monday through Friday, I commend you.
In communities around the world, volunteers are the backbone of a variety of organizations: animal shelters, after-school programs, food pantries– the list goes on. If you’re hesitating about volunteering, don’t. It’s good for your health, both mental and physical. Academic research has proven that volunteering on a regular basis improves your health by reducing stress, increasing physical activity (which improves overall mobility and physical health in the long-term), and promoting a sense of belonging within a community.
Plus, if you’re worried about being a good candidate for graduate school or future employers, volunteering shows you care about others and your community. Volunteering as an ETSU student is also super easy, and there are many ways you can get involved both on and off campus.
Volunteer ETSU is the most well-known way to get connected with volunteer organizations in Johnson City. It is a student-led organization that hosts Service Saturday events throughout both the spring and fall semesters. Additionally, Volunteer ETSU highlights other on-campus service events regularly on their Instagram, @volunteeretsu.
If you’re looking to explore off-campus and virtual opportunities, check out the ETSU Serves website (https://etsu.galaxydigital.com/). This website acts as ETSU’s hub for any and all volunteer activities in the area. The coolest part? You can filter by location, interest area (kids, environment, medical, etc), and so much more. Trust me, if you’re passionate about something, ETSU Serves probably has an opportunity for you.
Aside from the ETSU-specific resources, dozens of organizations in Johnson City are always looking for volunteers: Coalition for Kids, the Ronald McDonald House, the Washington County Johnson City Animal Shelter, and the Johnson City Public Library are just a few. Bucs, I urge you: get out and volunteer this spring! Spend a weekend with your friends getting your hands dirty, helping the community.
