United Way wants Southeast students to get involved

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has recently established Campus United Way on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in hopes of increasing volunteerism amongst college students in the area.

The two institutions have existed in the same community for years, and now they are making an effort to establish an on-campus organization representing the United Way. The Campus United Way will strive to encourage students of the university to live united through campus, community and cause.

Campus United Way consists of a small leadership team that will inform other on-campus organization as well as individual students of volunteer opportunities available to them in the community.

The United Way wants to establish a presence on campus now because the organization feels that now, possibly more so than ever before, it is crucial for young people experience the life-changing act of volunteering and helping others.

"We feel that there are a lot of students at Southeast that really want to get involved and help others in need," said Campus United Way President Lauren Johnson. "We want to act as a kind of gateway to those students that are looking for somewhere to volunteer, but do not know where to go or how to get started."

Despite the fact that students live busy lives and are often under a lot of stress, Johnson believes that Campus United Way will still be able to gain plenty of interest from the student body.

"Obviously, volunteering involves a lot of giving; you give your time, you give your talents, you give your energy and so on. What most people do not realize until after they start volunteering, however, is just how much you get back in return as far as personal satisfaction and an overall sense of well-being," said Johnson.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has partnered with many organizations in order to provide volunteer opportunities to the community--some of the more well known organizations include: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army.

"I think that it is really great that Campus United Way gives students a chance to get involved with so many great organizations," said Southeast junior Josh Gronemeyer. "I have wanted to get involved an volunteer in my community for a while, and that has been made so much easier by Campus United Way--it has put countless opportunities in front of me."

Students interested in volunteering can visit the United Way of Southeast Missouri website at unitedwayofsemo.org and click on the volunteer button.

Students interested in learning more about Campus United Way or becoming a member of the Campus United Way leadership team can send an email to campusenitedway@gmail.com.