I am in the Honors Program here at Mary Washington. One of the requirements is to complete the 16-week, 1-credit course titled HONR 201: Service Learning. To pass this class, students must partner with an organization to complete 20 hours of community service over the course of the semester, although we’re allowed to supplement our hours from different sources as well. We also must complete several readings and reflections on the nature of volunteering and what it means to aid those in your community.
I chose to partner with the university’s Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM). So far this semester, I’ve completed 8 hours total of service. 5.5 of those hours came from the CCM from things such as helping teach religious education to special needs children, packing backpacks with school supplies, etc. 3.5 of those hours came from when I volunteered at Class Council’s Senior Countdown to celebrate 100 days left until graduation. The event was casino themed and I dealt blackjack.
Some of the volunteer opportunities that I anticipate in the near future are: participating in Micah Ministries’ Coldest Night of the Year walk, which helps support local Fredericksburg charities that are working to assist the homeless and others in need. The CCM will also help host an Easter carnival for the residents of the St. Margaret of Cortona House.
I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester holds!