On Sept. 15 from 2 to 5 p.m., the second annual Rollins College Community Service Fair was held in Dave’s Down Under in the Cornell Campus Center. The Community Service Fair, hosted by the Office of Community Engagement, is an informal opportunity for students to engage with community agencies interested in recruiting volunteers, building community engagement opportunities around the Rollins campus, and creating academic partnerships with a variety of institutions.
This year, over 200 students, staff, and faculty members attended the fair. President Duncan, Provost Joyner, and Dean Wellman all came out to support the event. Everyone in attendance greatly enjoyed the event, with many students finding organizations that they recognized from high school or new organizations that struck their interest. The Office of Community Engagement hopes that this event will continue to occur every fall and perhaps every spring semester as well.
This year, the fair had over 28 participating organizations. The goal was to appeal to everyone’s passions. For those students looking to work with children, the event included organizations like Fern Creek Elementary, Children’s Miracle Network, and the Children’s Home Society. For students interested in hands-on work, the Orlando division of Habitat for Humanity and the Second Harvest Food Bank were both in attendance. Countless other well-known organizations attended as well, including the SPCA of Seminole County, the American Cancer Society, the Ronald McDonald House, the Easter Seals of Florida and the Christian Services Center. Members of the Office of Internships and Career Services was also in attendance, offering information to students such as how to complete an internship at a nonprofit organization and receive academic credit.
The Community Service Fair was held so that members of the Rollins College Community could make connections with Central Florida non-profit organizations and agencies. The fair provided a great opportunity for students to learn what is available to them in the Winter Park and Orlando area. It provided many different organizations the chance to get the word out about the problems they are trying to solve and to recruit new volunteers.
Students who were unable to attend the fair or who want more information should stop by the Office of Community Engagement, located on the second floor of the Mills Building. Students can find their page on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or visit their website at www.rollins.edu/communityengagement. The Office of Community Engagement hopes to help Rollins students connect their deepest passions with the world’s greatest needs.
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