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`On Saturday, Feb. 14 and 21, Millersville students volunteered at the Crispus Attucks Shelter to complete their required hours of community service for Dr. Timothy Shea’s English composition class.
Shea requires each student to fulfill 10 hours of community service dealing with food. Fifteen of his students chose to volunteer at the shelter at 407 Howard Ave.
Students carpooled to Crispus Attucks, and arrived at 4:30 p.m. Volunteers were asked to help set up the buffet line, hand out drinks, plates, napkins, flatware and to serve a meal of spaghetti and desserts.
After the public was served, students cleaned up and then were free to walk around and socialize with visitors.
The evening was slower than the typical night at the Shelter, however, the student volunteers were still given the opportunity to pitch in and help.
“The turnout was smaller than we were expecting,” said freshman Kristy Young. “We only served about 80 or so people. They said they usually get around 150 people.”
Social interaction was a common favorite amongst participating students. Many enjoyed having the opportunity to talk and joke with the people they were serving. Socializing with the visitors at the Shelter was the highlight of the night for Young.
“They were all so nice,” Young said. “The one man I met was very funny too! It was an enjoyable evening.”
Freshman Elizabeth Bitner, originally thought the night would be depressing and was surprised how cheerful the atmosphere was.
“We were in a gym and the people were very nice and thankful for us being there. A lot of the people were very happy and funny. They talked to us about a variety of different things,” Bitner said. “My favorite part was talking to the different people that came through the doors.”
What was first arranged as a mandatory school activity ended up being a learning and life altering experience.
“It really made me feel good about myself. Seeing that I was able to help people out and make Valentine’s Day a good day for them was rewarding,” Young said. “It was a nice way to spend a Saturday night.”
The students were glad to have had the opportunity to give back to the community. What started out as a Saturday night assignment turned into students realizing that they really can make a difference in the lives of others.
“I love volunteering. You can really tell you are making a difference,” said freshman Jackie Bloch. “There was a mom there with a two-and-a-half year old and a four year old. Both of the kids were sick. The little girl, who was four, had not been eating. By the end of the night she had eaten most of her plate of spaghetti.”