If helping people and making a difference is your passion, you’ll fit right in at the Service & Learning Center. More than 70 local and national organizations work with the Service and Learning Center to find volunteers. You can get support for your own project or join other Thunderbirds in projects such as; Bread & Soup Nite, After School Sports (with middle-school kids), Wee Swim (with pre-school kids), After School Reading, Make a Difference Day, National Family Volunteer Day, Sub for Santa, and the Service Club.
The Service & Learning Center also oversees the HOPE (Helping Our People Eat) Pantry. The Pantry is no-questions-asked student pantry where you can receive or donate food and other essential items to help you through those "starving college student" times. If you’ve been thinking about spending your spring break helping others, The Service & Learning Center sponsors Alternative Winter and Spring Break trips from New Orleans to Mexico.
Why you love getting involved with the Service and Learning Center:
It is so fun to constantly meet new people that are at the various service projects. I feel like I really make a difference in other lives and mine by being involved in service. I first got involved with Alternative Breaks my sophomore year, and it’s been the best ever since then. It’s not like it wasn’t good before, but it’s better than I could’ve ever imagined! For the past two years I have been whole-heartedly involved with the Service and Learning Center, and I love every second of it.
Funniest moment at SUU:
I have TOO many of these to choose just one, but the most recent on my mind is about Elk Lure. I obtained some Elk Lure (synthetic elk urine—used to attract other elk for mating season) from a white elephant gift. The following week I went to Mexico on an Alternative Break (service trip) and took the Elk Lure with me. I snuck it into somebody else’s room and left it with a love note. This Elk Lure got passed around from club member to club member. Two months after the trip ended, it’s still going around. The best part is seeing people's reaction when they get it, because it’s a truly awkward gift!
Dream job:
For now, anything working with kids. However, ultimately, being a stay at home mom is what I would LOVE to do.
Contact Info:
Pam Branin, Service & Learning Center Coordinator
Office: 185 S. 300 W.
Phone: (435) 586-8864
E-Mail: braninp@suu.edu
