Whether contributing to a toy drive or donating to the Salvation Army, the holiday season is characterized as the season of giving back. This time is conveniently concurrent with winter break, a couple weeks free from tests, papers and projects. So, it may be the ideal opportunity to become involved in volunteer projects.
Lauren Soares, graduate assistant in the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement said, “Winter break is really the time where you have extra free time to volunteer because schedules can get so crazy and overwhelming during the fall and winter semesters.”
Soares said that by participating in service projects, volunteers learn through hands-on experiences that are quite different from classroom lessons.
“It lets you see things that you learn about in class,” Soares said. “It lets you explore different areas you haven’t explored before, and you get to meet people and interact with them while you’re doing service. It’s a multifaceted thing that you win no matter what.”
Looking for a way to give back to the community over winter break? Soares described four opportunities sponsored by NSU’s community partners.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Broward builds simple, affordable homes for sponsored families around Broward County.
Soares said participating in a Habitat for Humanity build is ideal for student seeking direct, interactive involvement.
“Habitat for Humanity gives you that really hands-on experience where you are straight up jumping out and building a house,” Soares said. “NSU students like to build rafts, so why not build a house?”
Although this opportunity is available year-round, the hours — Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — tend to conflict with student schedules. Winter break gives them a chance to volunteer.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity and to register for a build, visit habitatbroward.org.
Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida, South Florida’s only Feeding America food bank, is one of NSU’s largest community partners. The organization feeds 30 percent of individuals in Palm beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties who do not know where their next meal will come from. The organization aims to ultimately end hunger in these counties.
Volunteers participate in food sortings in which they organize the food that was donated from food drives, supermarkets and other food industry companies to send it to organizations that distribute the food.
According to Feeding South Florida’s Special Events Coordinator Bianca Perez, Feeding South Florida needs extra support around the holidays.
Perez said, “Since the government shutdown, food stamps have reduced, so there is more clientele using our partners.”
The food is sorted Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Feeding South Florida warehouse in Pembroke Park.
For more information on Feeding South Florida and to register for a food sorting, visit feedingsouthflorida.com. Space is limited to 60 volunteers per sorting.
Santa’s 5K Holiday Run/Walk and Sleigh Race
On Dec. 21, the Broward House will host a 5K and sleigh race in Wilton Manors, during which participants are encouraged to wear holiday-themed costumes. In a twist on the traditional sleigh race, participants will decorate beds and race them down the street. Volunteers will work behind the scenes in registration, marshaling, water stops and cleanup.
All of the proceeds from the race go to the Broward House, South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community service organization. The Broward House provides HIV/AIDS testing, residential facilities, medical services, substance abuse treatment and other services for people with HIV/AIDS.
Broward House’s Executive Assistant to the CEO and Volunteer Leader Mary Schuch said Broward Country has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country.
“The Broward House is helping to keep those numbers in control by identifying new diagnoses and making sure they get the proper care they need,” Schuch said. “By helping the Broward House, you are helping to make your county a healthier place.”
To register as a volunteer, email Mary Schuch at mschuch@browardhouse.org by Dec. 18. Participation costs $25. For more information on the 5K and sled race, visit browardhouse.org/5k.
Keep Hollywood Beautiful beach cleanup
For anyone interested in helping the environment while spending a day at the beach, the city of Hollywood is hosting a beach cleanup in Charnow Park on Dec. 14 from 7 to 11 a.m. After the clean up, volunteers are free to enjoy the beach.
Denise Yoezle, assistant director of Public Works for the city of Hollywood, said these monthly cleanups are necessary for the environment.
“We collect hundreds of pounds of litter and cigarette buds each month that otherwise would just decompose very slowly and contaminate the beach,” said Yoezle.
The city of Hollywood provides free parking for volunteers in the parking garage. The city will also give volunteers a certificate of recognition.
To register for the beach cleanup, download the registration form at hollywoodfl.org/index.aspx?NID=436 and mail it to the indicated address. The deadline to register is Dec. 11.
Opportunities year-round
Soares encourages all students interested in getting involved with service learning projects to visit the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement.
“It’s not an intimidating experience. We try to make it really just a conversation. If you want to get involved in something particularly important to you, come in and have that conversation with us.”
To learn more about the winter break opportunities or to hear about others throughout the year, visit nova.edu/studentleadership or contact Soares at ls1801@nova.edu or 954-262-7253.
