We want to re-energize our involvement (and your resumes) with assisting non-profit organizations in our region. More specifically, we would like to see you commit two (2) hours of your time this semester in one of our monthly scheduled community/civic involvement volunteer enrichment opportunities. We have an entire semester line-up for you which makes scheduling easy. Just pick one (you can do more if you like) and let’s make a difference in our region.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, give back to the communities and gain a better understanding of agencies that promote the well being of citizens within our region. And, did I mention volunteering just makes you feel good?

SSS is re-doing how it supports students to Volunteer and get involved with the communities we serve: Jackson Macon, and Swain Counties. We are looking especially for events to join with (or create) such as the Special Olympics (in April) or Relay for Life or the Tuckaseegee River Clean-Up. We welcome any ideas you have . . Please contact Peter Buck at ext. 243.

Past Events:

October 20, 2005 - 1:30-4:00 p.m. Adopt-A-Highway
It's time to talk trash. And we'll walk our talk along the North River Road from Webster to Dillsboro for our stretch of Adopt-a-Highway. Picking up trash beside this road is a good sociological project. If you don't help, you won't know what the most popular fast food joint is or what beer is consumed in the greatest quantities. Be in the know, join us!

October 8, 2005 - Help REACH clean up their grounds. REACH is a great organization that helps women and their children who have been in situations of domestic abuse.

September 24, 2005 - Family Resource Center, Jackson County
Help is needed throughout the day at WCU's Mountain Heritage Day - The FRC will be selling root beer floats. If you can only help for a couple of hours, it will keep others from having to work all 9 hours. Barbara Jefferys and Wanda Temple will jump for joy if you decide to help. If you want to stay within your comfort zone, why not try dishing out comfort food for a good cause.

September 19, 2005 - Community Table, Sylva, NC
1 - 3 p.m.: Cooking
4 - 6 p.m.: Serving
The Community Table is just that, it's a place where people can come and get a hot meal for free. All are welcome. The folks who work there and the folks who make use of it are good and interesting people. It's worth spending time there and getting to know them.

July 14, 2005 - Adopt-my-Highway - 11:03 a.m. to 1:13 p.m. (or so)
It's a glorious summer. The cool days have meant car windows have stayed rolled up. So, when people tried to throw trash out of their cars, it bounces back and lands in their laps . . But, by July 14th it will be warmer. Windows will roll down. Trash will litter our beloved road. Please help. Win a puppy. Eat Pizza.

June 16, 2005- Animals! - P.A.W.S. in Bryson City. - Thanks to everyone who doted on the dogs, played with the pups, cuddled the cats, and kissed the kittens. P.A.W.S. appreciates the time you spent with their current residents.

April 22, 2005 - Adopt-a-Highway Day

March 9, 2005 - We volunteered at P.A.W.S. in Bryson City - P.A.W.S. is a no-kill animal shelter for cats and dogs. They rescue and place abused and lost animals throughout the WNC area. Volunteers are always needed to help feed, water, and play with the cats and dogs, as well as to clean kennels and grounds.

February 2005
In February we'll invite students and faculty to help us raise money for Big Brothers / Big Sisters. Their "Bowl for Kids' Sakes" is a fun time for a good cause. The culmination will be bowling at Sylva's Thunder Lanes between 1:00 and 5:00 Saturday the 26th.

January 2005
January 20 - Adopt-A-Highway time. We'll enjoy great weather while we clear our minds and clean the road from Webster to Dillsboro. The Tuckasegee is beautiful and the trash tells stories.