Need Service Hours? The Visor’s Got You Covered!

Alexis Smith, Staff Reporter|September 12, 2018

   In all the craziness of a new school year, service hours loom as yet another item on the to-do list. So here’s a list of the top 5 places to volunteer if you, like me, missed out on Hoban’s JAM program over the summer:

 

  • Victory Gallop (Bath, Ohio): A horse stable where you assist differently-abled children in their dreams of horseback riding. Cute kids plus horses, enough said.

 

  • The Village of St. Edward (Fairlawn, Ohio): Help host a game night or go listen to some stories. The elderly want an ear to listen and you can lend one while learning about another generation. You’ll pick up some advice and life lessons along the way!

 

  • Tutoring at St. Mary Grade School (Akron, Ohio): Go help a younger child learn to read or maybe teach them some multiplication tables. If you have ever wanted a sibling, now is your chance! Students can volunteer Thursdays from 3:00- 4:30 p.m. AND Hoban provides transportation to and from St. Mary’s. E-mail Mrs. Sees or Mr. Fahey for more information.

 

  • South Street Ministries (Akron, Ohio): If you aren’t sure what to do, this place has it all! Serving food, tutoring children and helping in the art studio enumerate the many volunteer opportunities available. You may learn just as much from the people as they do from you.

 

  • Project HOPE (HOBAN): Last but not least is Hoban’s own Project Hope. Known for being many students’ favorite extracurricular at Hoban, Project Hope meets on Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00 p.m.  Help the community by packaging food in the kitchens and then distributing it throughout Akron to the homeless. You can make tons of friends and meet a friendly dog or two along the way while giving to those in need!!! Again, e-mail Sees!

 

   Though you will most likely start volunteering to reach the required hours, there’s much more to it than just checking a box. Writer Elizabeth Andrew once said: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

   Although life’s busy, the excuses must stop.  Step out of your comfort zone. See what’s out there. You may just like what you find.