Angelina Zulas wasn't expecting to make a life-long impact as she pushed a shopping cart beside a mother holding two babies, one each arm. She was volunteering as a personal shopper at a clothing drive.
The senior social work major came from a single-parent household, and she knew about the struggles the woman must be facing. What started out as small talk became a cathartic heart-to-heart and ended in a teary-eyed hug.
"She gave me her phone number and told me I made her think differently about being open, her feelings toward other people," Zulas said. "She felt better about things. After that, we kept in touch and last time we were in contact, she had found a reliable babysitter and is employed."
Volunteer organizations like that in Zulas' story will be in number at the Student Voluntary Services Fall Volunteer Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom.
SVS is a Ball State organization that helps students connect and find transportation to local volunteer agencies. Zulas, president of SVS, said 1,776 students signed up for volunteer agencies last school year through the organization.
SVS adviser Kathy Smith said when a student comes to the recruitment fair, they will either have a "golden ticket" given by professors and student leaders or they will attend a 10-minute presentation on SVS opportunities, expectations and information regarding volunteer service.
Afterward, students are free to roam the ballroom to enjoy the free snacks and to get to know the agencies. SVS members will guide students through online registration.
Smith said the SVS database holds more than 100 local agencies for which students can volunteer. Thirty of those will be at the recruitment fair.
"Our role is to engage as many Ball State students in the community and in direct community service as possible, for the betterment of the community," Smith said.
Organizations such as Ross Community Center, Habitat for Humanity and Muncie Ballet offer service opportunities for a wide range of interests. One of those will be the Roy C. Buley Community Center, a center for youth and adult programs. There, students can assist kids in homework or mentor in an after-school program activity.
"The students have a lot of fun," said Dennis Trammell, executive director of the center. "When you volunteer, you never want to feel like it's work; you want to have fun while giving back. That's what student volunteers experience at the Buley Center."
For the Muncie non-profit agencies, students are key to survival. One issue Smith mentioned is that non-profit agencies often have a small staff and few funds. Without volunteers, Smith said, the organizations couldn't do what they do and serve as many as they serve.
"Being an integral piece of the Muncie community speaks volumes," Zulas said. "Right now, as Muncie is in the position of revival, if no one volunteered, Muncie would be in the hole. A lot of kids would go uninspired."
Smith expected more than 500 students to attend the SVS recruitment fair. She said while many students come on their own accord, many students have courses or are part of organizations that require a certain amount of community service.
Smith estimated 40 percent of the recruitment fair attendees are those of the second nature. She acknowledged some of those students may not be enthusiastic.
"The recruitment fair is a high-energy type of event," Smith said. "Agencies are excited to be there and meet the students. I think when the students chat with the agencies and see how positive they are, they will get the right attitude."
Smith hoped for long-term impact on the students, such as awareness of social issues in the community and self-fulfillment.
"It's what I call 'taking the blinders off,' because once you've taken them off, you can't put them back on and pretend those issues aren't there," Smith said. "People say volunteering is a selfless act, but that's not true. You get as much as you give."
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