Spring Week of Service a Success

Published: 04/09/2021

Each year, St. Charles Community College students, faculty and staff volunteer their time to help the community. Day of Service exemplifies SCC’s commitment to serving the local area by focusing on student success and lifelong learning.

Just like the Fall 2020 Semester, Day of Service was transformed into Week of Service to expand opportunities to volunteer.

“We were really happy with the results of our first Week of Service last semester,” said Bryonie Carter, service-learning and civic engagement program chair, “With the pandemic still affecting our daily lives, we decided to continue in the same direction for the spring semester. It’s important we continue keeping our commitments to our community and social justice.”

SCC’s Week of Service consisted of many remote and virtual project opportunities – like creating craft kits for children for the Great Circle organization. The agency provides a unique spectrum of behavioral health services to children and families.

“My three-year old and two-year old had the opportunity to shop for the supplies and fill the bags with me,” said SCC student Nicole Roberts. “It was such a great opportunity to explain to my kids what we were doing and why. It was so fun to watch them both helping. I also felt I learned such a great deal about Great Circle and how these kits would benefit children within the facility.”

Additionally, a handful of low contact, activities were available for volunteers. 

SCC students Anna Mertens (left) and Sara VanAmburgh (right) volunteered somewhere very familiar this year. Growing up, the cousins attended summer camps at the Boys and Girls Club in St. Peters. This was the first time they had been back to the facility since middle school.

“A lot of things have changed since I was a kid,” admitted VanAmburgh, “but some things are still the same. It felt really great to come back and volunteer my time.”  

The pair helped organize the gym storage room and prepare am outdoor plot for a new playground during their volunteer shift.