Volunteer fair offers opportunities for student involvement

By Felix Sarver

Students can expect many opportunities at the Volunteer Fair hosted by Student Involvement and Leadership Development (SILD) at 3 p.m. today in the Stevenson Towers Food Court.

The fair is an annual event organized by Becky Harlow, assistant director for Community Service.

The Volunteer Fair is an opportunity for students to have face time with other organizations, Harlow said.

“Students can ask questions and work with people in their field,” Harlow said.

Organizations planning to be at the fair include the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. in Sycamore, DeKalb County Court Services, 200 N. Main St. in Sycamore and the Volunteer Action Center, 1606 Bethany Road in Sycamore.

“We have numerous opportunities for students,” said MMNH executive director Molly Holman. “Live animal care, desk services and education are some of them.”

While the museum has received interns from NIU, this is its first year at the Volunteer Fair, Holman said.

The DeKalb County Court Services offers students the opportunity to mentor youths and supervise community restitution work, said program coordinator Peggy Carey.

Meals on Wheels and community dinners are two programs the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) offers to students at the fair, said executive director Tom Zucker.

It is not the first time VAC has been at the fair and it seems to be popular, Zucker said.

“There seems to be a strong interest in providing volunteers at NIU,” Zucker said.

The Volunteer Fair is one of the activities on campus organized by SILD.

“Student Involvement and Leadership is a catch-all for all student involvement on Campus,” Harlow said.

SILD offers students opportunities to aid the local community through activities, Harlow said.