MY COMMUNITY SERVICE

2010Amy Verbiski

SERVICE-LEARNING Integrates community service with

academic instruction that focuses on critical thinking, reflective thinking, and civic responsibility.

Service-learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local need, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community.http://www.valdosta.edu/oasis/

fye.shtml

BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNING Provides quality education; Increases the relevancy of education to

students “living in a real world”; Teaches positive values, leadership

citizenship and personal responsibility; Empowers students as learners,

teachers, achievers and leaders; Invites students to become members of

their new community;

http://www.valdosta.edu/oasis/fye.shtml

BENEFITS OF SERVICE-LEARNINGCONTINUED… Teaches job skills and prepares students

for careers after college; Contributes to a university’s outreach

efforts to the local community, the state and beyond;

Increases campus-community collaboration and partnerships; and

Increases retention.

http://www.valdosta.edu/oasis/fye.shtml

WHY SERVICE-LEARNING IS IMPORTANT… It teaches students that they have a civil

responsibility to their community. Every person plays a role in making

their community strong and volunteering combined with education helps to reinforce these values.

http://www.ask.com

LOWNDES COUNTYANIMAL SHELTER They are committed to community

safety and the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Lowndes County Animal Shelter is NOT a kill shelter.This means that they do not kill or put the

animals to sleep if they are not adopted within a certain amount of time.

Every animal gets a fair chance of being adopted.

The animals in the shelter have their picture taken and are posted on petfinder.com

Lowndes County Animal Shelter, Volunteer Handbook

MY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE It was called “walking” the dogs, but it

actually meant taking them outside in the yard to play.

I had a lot of fun with all the dogs. I could tell that they enjoyed getting out

of the cages and outdoors for a while to play.

If you were going in to the animal shelter to adopt a dog, you don’t really get to see their personality. This was a way to find out what kind of dog they were.

They were wore out and

ready to take a nap.

EXPERIENCE CONTINUED… The Lowndes

County Animal Shelter also has a horse up for adoption.

Her name is Pearl.

She comes right to you when you call her name. Pearl

EXPERIENCE CONTINUED…

We were able to groom Pearl.

She was a great, gentle horse.

I never knew that animal shelters could receive animals like her, but I guess they can.

LOWNDES COUNTYANIMAL SHELTER I had a great experience at the Lowndes

County Animal Shelter. Everyone there was nice and helpful. There was even an inmate volunteering

there. He said that he goes there EVERYDAY! I could tell he did because the dogs got really

excited when he came around. We got to help other people with their

adoption choices. I will be going back to the animal shelter

to volunteer in the future!

Stefani and Sky

AMERICAN RED CROSS By donating blood, you can save a

person’s life! Some requirements for donating blood

are:Be healthy (feel well)Are at least 17 years old in most statesWeigh at least 110 lbs.Haven’t donated in the last 56 days

http://www.redcrossblodd.org

MY EXPERIENCE… I went into the American Red Cross

building on the corner of Bemiss and Northside Dr. in Valdosta.

First, I registered and read the handbook.

Second, I went through the mini-physical.

Third, I donated. It took me about 5 minutes and 26 seconds

to give 1 pint of blood and 6 tubes for testing.

Last, I enjoyed refreshments.

MY EXPERIENCE CONTINUED… I thought that donating blood would make

me cry or pass out or something because I hate to have my blood taken at the doctors office.

It surprised me because I did perfectly fine and really didn’t feel a thing.

The lady that was taking my blood was really nice and answered any questions I had.

I took my husband with me incase I needed him to drive, but I didn’t need him.

I can’t wait to donate again after 56 days!

WASHING THE FIRE TRUCKS My husband works at the fire station on

base and they have to clean all the fire trucks everyday.

I went up there a couple days to help them clean the trucks.

This is a very detailed job that takes a while to do.They don’t only want it washed, but also

dried.These trucks are HUGE so they are hard to

clean.

OVER-ALL EXPERIENCE! I had a great time with all of my

volunteer experiences! I have never really done any volunteer

work before this class, but I plan to continue doing it.

My favorite experience so far that I will keep doing is the Animal Shelter experience. I had a blast and loved getting the dogs

outside!