Most volunteers are far from average. Yet when someone goes above and beyond, such as junior Marquita Coleman, that someone can be the exception among exceptional people.
Coleman said she's volunteered more than 400 hours in the past two years to campus, community and national organizations. As vice president of Student Voluntary Services, Coleman helps plan the organization's budget, plans outreach programs and comes up with new ideas for volunteering on campus.
"[Volunteering] is a great thing," Coleman said. "You feel like you've accomplished something when you're giving back."
Coleman and her family participated in community outreach programs in her hometown of Fort Wayne. While she went Christmas caroling at nursing homes, her interest in volunteer work grew, she said.
Growing up, her immediate and extended family also participated every year in an adopt-a-family program.
As a freshman, Coleman participated in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Lend-A-Hand Day and literary fairs. Last year she joined Student Voluntary Services and worked part-time for Americorp.
Coleman has helped at-risk students at Washington Carver and Grissom Elementary schools. One particular student she worked called the organization and requested Coleman for more help.
"When you have a student actually call and want to work with you, (that's worth it,)" Coleman said. "I made a difference. I'm getting through to him when other people think they can't."
Coleman plans to continue volunteering through Americorp and more literary fairs in addition to working with Student Voluntary Services.
"I encourage everybody to volunteer," she said.
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