Student Volunteer Connection hosts Volunteer Fair in LBJ Ballroom

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
September 16, 2008

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Texas State students, faculty, and staff are invited to learn about local volunteer and public service opportunities from dozens of San Marcos area non-profits, United Way of Hays County agencies, schools, and other organizations at the Volunteer Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom.

Sponsored by the Student Volunteer Connection, the fair will feature booths, door prizes, entertainment, free food and opportunities to connect with meaningful civic activities.

“Many students want to give back to the community but don’t always know how. The fair is a great 'one-stop shop' for students and student organizations to learn about meaningful ways to connect with the local community,” said Texas State student Kristi Fields, SVC president.

About 40 area agencies, schools, non-profits and other organizations are participating in the fair, which begins with a kick-off breakfast hosted by the Office of Community Relations.

“Breakfast participants will learn how to recruit Texas State volunteers through the SVC webpage and San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz will also speak,” said Kim Porterfield, director of the Office of Community Relations. “By providing local agencies with tools to recruit volunteers on campus, we can help students be better informed of the needs of the community.”

The idea of working together and with the community aligns with this year’s Common Experience theme, civic engagement. Common Experience Co-Chair and Texas State Professor Nico Schuler will be discussing Civic Engagement at Texas State at the Kick-Off Breakfast.

Julie Hollar, Youth Services Bureau Director, has been attending the Volunteer Fair for many years, always looking for bright faces eager to help.

“The volunteer fair is a place to recruit quality volunteers and interns to non-profit sector of San Marcos.  It is a great place to connect the needs of both the university students and the community.  Together we are always better. It is a win-win situation,” Hollar said.

For more information, call the Student Volunteer Connection at (512) 245-1687.