Students, faculty and staff can explore volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations at the Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct 5. in the lobbies and hallways of the Science and Technology Building at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
In 2022, the fair attracted 61 students and 38 organizations, such as Special Olympics Texas, Catholic Charities and Operation Gratitude. This year, participants will include Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas and Meals on Wheels San Antonio.
Aaron Guerrero, civic engagement coordinator for the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, said many students feel a sense of purpose after volunteering. Participating doesn’t just benefit the community but also the volunteer.
“It gives you a sense of usefulness,” Guerrero said.
Organizations need volunteers because many of them are nonprofit with limited budgets or smaller staffs that rely on the mutual relationships with college students.
The volunteer opportunities are mostly off campus, such as working with Catholic Charities on projects at St. PJ’s Children’s Home and the Seton Home.
Occasional on-campus opportunities have included helping with the General’s Store, which provides students with supplemental food. Another was writing cards to soldiers and building teddy bears with Operation Gratitude for children whose parents are deployed.
Students can RSVP for the fair on the event’s JagSync page.
They also can sign up for the fair on GivePulse, a website where students can register for on and off-campus volunteer opportunities. Students’ volunteer hours get tracked on GivePulse and can go toward a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Guerrero said the feedback he has received from past volunteers back studies that show giving back does make one feel good.
This is the first year the event is charging a registration fee for organizations that participate.
Guerrero said the $25 fee will help prevent cancellations and pay for a networking breakfast for the organizations, as well as parking and setup for the event.
Last year it was around $400 to host the fair, Guerrero said.
Renne Estrada and Madison Gutierrez contributed to this story.
