Students engage in service
September 28, 2015
A day of service gave Linfield students an idea of volunteer opportunities throughout McMinnville.
Taste of Service, put on by the Linfield Office of Community Engagement and Service, provided over 60 students with community service opportunities in the McMinnville community on Saturday morning.
“It’s an opportunity for Linfield students to get involved with community partners in McMinnville,” said sophomore Hannah Ellsworth, director of days of service and special events.
Students teamed up with community partners including Habitat for Humanity, Tice Woods, Henderson House, Miller Woods, the McMinnville Co-op, Hop on the Hill, First Presbyterian and the McMinnville Community Garden.
Participating junior Sara Gomez, who is also director of alternative spring break, was able to broaden her knowledge of volunteer opportunities by serving breakfast at the McMinnville co-op.
“Even though I’m a junior, I hadn’t been to the co-op before and it made me feel more connected to a part of the community that gets overlooked a lot of the time,” said Gomez.
Over 60 students participated in the event, including representatives from Greek life and the student group for Habitat for Hu- manity.
Junior Emma Beuerman participated in the event last year and volunteered again this year at the same location, Tice Woods.
“Going there again was a good reminder of how there are a lot of communities outside of Linfield that need volunteers,” said Beuerman.
Taste of Service was also an opportunity for students to meet new people. “They get to work with a non-profit while meeting other students,” said Ellsworth.
There are several other days of service throughout the school year.
These include Make a Difference Day in October, MLK Day in January and Global Youth Service Day in the spring.
The Office of Community Engagement and Service provides students with other opportunities to do service through the WISE mentorship program, Language in Motion and Alternative Spring Break.
“Service is important because it’s important to take the time to get to know your community and be- come a more aware citizen,” said Gomez.
Taste of Service gave students an idea of places they can serve and made them feel more connected to the McMinnville community.
