Volunteering a long lost art at UM-D?

Source: The Michigan Journal
Published on: March 20, 2007
By: Ryan Schreiber

For all the students out there wanting to make a difference in the world, there's more to it than making loads of money, owning an oceanfront property or overseeing a staff of 30.

As myself and six others from UM-D experienced first-hand last week, our country is loaded with impoverished people and countless others who had everything, then lost it all due to uncontrollable circumstances. Missing classes, work and other activities was tough, but the students' dedication and determination to change the world forced them - plus over 120 others from around the U.S. - to use their mind and willpower to make a difference.

Alternative Spring Break is becoming increasingly popular with high school and college students who are willing to spend their time off from school lending a hand to those who need it most. This year, one group traveled outside the state through United Way of Southeastern Michigan to Lake Charles, Louisiana to help rebuild the Gulf Coast that was decimated by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

After seeing homes strewn about in lakes (that will probably never be cleared) and hearing about coffins that were never recovered after the flooding, I have a new sense of urgency to get these people help.

My group spent the week finishing the inside of two new construction homes for survivors. While we spent most of our time installing basemoldings and fiddling with caulk, the constant reminder of our helpfulness was reassuring, even when we felt we could be doing more.

Margaret Mead once said, "Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed citizens to change the world." It rings true across the nation and world every single day, but I don't see it happening as much as it should here at UM-D.

It saddens me to ask it, but are we just too busy with our daily lives, classes and jobs to care about those who need our help? It's easy to brush it off and say, "There's not enough time" or "I can't do it by myself." But for those who do express those sentiments, have you ever experienced the plight of the homeless or poor who do their best on a daily basis just to survive?

I, too, was in a similar boat for many years. I volunteered and helped out where I could during high school, but once I came to UM-D, my life got busier and my time for extracurriculars dwindled drastically. When I saw the advertisement to apply for ASB, I jumped at it because it was the chance of a lifetime.

Here at UM-Dearborn, we have a myriad of organizations and students who want to help, but need more students to participate. Volunteer Dearborn, for example, is a campus group "committed to being an integral part of our community and to developing in our students the practical skills necessary to institute positive change in their environments." They host service projects throughout the year and have a trip planned to Vista Maria in Dearborn Heights this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There, volunteers will run a mini life lessons workshop for the girls.

Other past events through campus include MLK Service Day, Super Makeover Detroit, Habitat for Humanity projects and trips to Gleaner's Food Bank. Opportunities exist; you just need to know where to find them. You never know - the people or places you aid just might give back more than you've given them.

I urge you to volunteer. Take a chance and show someone else outside of your personal circle that you care. Be a part of that small group of people that changes the world.

For more information about volunteer opportunities on campus, visit the Student Activities Office, 2136 UC, and speak with Randy Dillard. He can be reached at rdillard@umd.umich.edu or by phone at (313) 593-5667.