Ball State University students who missed the Student Voluntary Services Recruitment Fair on Wednesday can still sign up for volunteering opportunities by going online at bsu.edu/svs, Kathy Smith, adviser for SVS, said.
"Most of our programs start Sept. 17, so they still have time," she said.
The recruitment fair was from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom.
By the end of the fair, 517 students had signed up for 720 volunteer placements, Smith said.
"We're really thrilled with the number," she said. "It was a really good day today."
Before they entered the recruitment fair, students were required to watch a presentation about the basic benefits of service learning and SVS, Smith said. Most students watched the presentation in their classes, but the presentation also was available during the fair in the Pineshelf Room across from the ballroom, she said.
About 20 volunteer organizations had rows of booths set up to speak with students about what they can do to get involved. Three circular tables, 12 laptop computers and several SVS members were available in the back of the room to help students find volunteer organizations that fit their interests.
Sophomores Stacy Cary and Ashley Cox said they went to the fair as a requirement for their public health classes.
Cox said she signed up to volunteer with "Kareful Kids" because she wants to help care for children in the Muncie community.
Although Cary didn't sign up for anything at the fair, she said she would be interested in looking at more organizations online later.
Eli Caudill, a sophomore elementary education major, said he came to the recruitment fair because he needs 54 volunteer hours for his major this semester.
Caudill said he was looking for an experience to help him further his teaching skills and found it in "Motivate Our Minds."
"You get to tutor kids and help them with any other school activities they need help with," he said.
Booths at the recruitment fair included the Delaware County SPCA and Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and "Title-One Tutoring."
Denise Gawrys, a teacher employed by the Muncie Public Library, said "Title-One Tutoring" is an after-school tutoring program provided by the library to help elementary school students enrolled in title-one schools.
"[I want students to know] how rewarding it is to help students who are struggling the most," Gawrys said.
Kim Antrim, a Humane Society volunteer, said most Ball State students want to donate their time to the SPCA because they love animals and miss their pets they left at home.
Junior Andrew Hanyzewski, the SVS program coordinator, said the fair is good for the volunteer agencies as well as for the students.
"The organizations get to have one-on-one time with potential volunteers and students get to have [a better understanding of the organization]," he said.
Hanyzewski said he volunteers because he likes making people happy.
"I like seeing people smile," he said. "Their reactions when you help them out are priceless."
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