Bennion Center Service Corps

Bennion Center Service Corps has proved the most rewarding experience of college thus far.  Approached by a friend with an idea to begin a group that helps with service projects whenever needed, I was soon after approached by Linda with an idea to form a Service Corps that recruits volunteers for miscellaneous project ideas that come to the Bennion Center.

The purpose of the Corps is to recruit student volunteers who prefer to volunteer on a less consistent basis, and help with a wide variety of monthly projects.  The Service Corps has seemed to fill a need previously unfulfilled as non-profits and various individuals have requested for volunteers, and we have been able to recruit and deliver student volunteers to get projects done!  We have helped at The American Cancer Society Gala, KUED phone in donation night, The Road Home’s Chili Night, Salt Lake City Health Fair, and other non-profit events.  Additionally, we have really enjoyed generating our own projects and also helping individuals throughout the Salt Lake community in need of a paint job on their house, someone to visit, or a meal delivered to them. 

In October we had the amazing opportunity to provide volunteers to paint a woman named Alma’s house.  Alma is a mother of 6, a volunteer at schools in the Granite School District, and an advocate for higher education in her community.  When informed that she needed a stucco and paint job on her house, Beau (co-chair of the BCSC) arranged for a stucco job and recruited volunteers for painting.  We spent a Saturday painting Alma’s home, and were able to meet her and her family.  I saw how pleasantly surprised and relieved Alma was to have the job done.  Her happiness continues motivating me to seek out those in need and provide help for them; doing so doesn’t take much effort, and rewards me with substantial feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment.  This first semester has been full of many projects for the Service Corps.  

Taking a step back at each of these projects, I have seen volunteers, my peers, and those being served all in a state of extreme happiness.  These projects have provided an opportunity for the BCSC volunteers to connect with people from all areas, backgrounds, and non-profit organizations from the area.  I couldn't be more excited for the projects coming up this semester, and for the connections and friends I anticipate making in the process.

-Jessie Du Pre, BCSC co-chair