SSU Student Volunteering and Philanthropic Fundraising
by Sharon Marts
While volunteering during college may seem nearly impossible given the delicate balance of classes and extracurricular activities, some SSU students made it happen this Spring 2025. In the examples below, students either volunteered individually or as a group, or found a volunteer intern experience. Each story shows how college students can give back to their community. In the experiences noted below of SSU volunteers, each learned about ways to contribute to organizations, and gained personal benefits as well.
Drop in Volunteering
Melissa Radlinsky and some of her classmates volunteered this spring at an event with disabled community members. Melissa stated, “I was super excited to volunteer for a disability non-profit after hearing about it from one of my professors (Laura Temple, EDSP 432: Young Children With Special Needs). I currently shadow three Adapted Physical Education teachers in Sonoma County, and was recently accepted into an APE Masters program! Since the majority of people with special needs I work with are young children, I was very grateful for the opportunity to connect with a 28-year-old adult with Down Syndrome. "I find it important to combat the harmful stigma surrounding individuals with disabilities.” Melissa intends to continue volunteering even when she leaves SSU after graduating in May 2025. She will begin her Adaptive Physical Education Masters program in Fall. Congrats, Melissa!
Greek Organization Volunteerism and Fundraising
The SSU Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers have a long tradition of volunteering together, both on and off campus. Their fraternity supports a non-profit called The Ability Experience, which their website states has an aim to “change the way society sees people with disabilities and fraternities… We prefer to put our values into action, bringing our mission for a more inclusive community to life every single day.” Building on that connection with this national organization and the community, the Pi Kapps volunteered locally in the community during the month of December, and also put on a Spring Semester fundraiser called “War of the Roses.” This year’s “War of the Roses” featured pie throwing, a scavenger hunt, a dunk tank, and a bingo card.
Just as volunteering in communities is vital, so too is philanthropic giving. In fact, most Greek organizations have within their stated mission a connection to service and to philanthropic giving in a chosen area. And consequently, when the Greek organizations raise funds for a chosen philanthropic cause, you can bet there will be both awareness-raising and fun…something which Greek organizations have no problem doing!
Interning with an SSU Community Partner
Another way that SSU students can provide service to others is through internships aligned with their department. Shirley Garcia is one of many SSU students contributing academic skills, and helping her community at the same time. In her placement role at a local non-profit, Shirley has helped with translation and outreach. Shirley stated, “Through my internship, I’ve been able to gain a new perspective. I highly encourage others to intern or volunteer!”
Whether students are volunteering alone or with friends, or helping to further their career prospects with service-learning courses or internships, almost any type of volunteering can be both satisfying and helpful on a resume. Click HERE for another CCE Blog post providing more information on how to transform your present and past work and volunteerism into meaningful action steps toward a future job.