Student Volunteer Opportunities for Holidays

Claremont McKenna College students looking for both on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities this semester needn't search far. Mindful of Thanksgiving and the December holidays, volunteerism among students generally peaks in winter. "The CMC community is extremely giving of its time and efforts to help the surrounding community around the holidays," says Beth Ricca, assistant director of Career Services.
Opportunities this month, and throughout December, include:
Toy Drive: CMC's second annual toy drive, now through Dec. 5. Last year's event raised nearly $500 in cash and 400 toys, benefiting Santa Claus Inc., a nonprofit all-volunteer organization in the Inland Valley. What makes this program unique is that parents of gift recipients are able to select the most appropriate items for their children a few weekends before Christmas. Besides toys, Santa Claus Inc. also provides books and clothes.
In addition to collecting toys and cash, CMC students will assist in the distribution of items on Dec. 11, with transportation provided by the community service office.
Santa Claus Inc. has a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers, but all CMC students are welcome to participate.
Dorm Activities: In conjunction with the dorm community service representatives, "Santa Claus" will be making appearances on campus to solicit donations for the toy drive. Watch for friendly dorm competitions, too.
Holiday Grams: Small candy and greeting card combinations will be sold as another fundraiser for the Toy Drive.
Oxfam: Oxfam Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Nov. 18, in the Hampton Room at Scripps College.
Short for Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, Oxfam is an annual, 5C activity designed to combat hunger. Students donate their meals a week before the banquet, with half of proceeds benefiting Oxfam and the other half benefiting the Sova Food Pantry Program. Students signing up for the banquet are encouraged to fast on the day of the banquet in order to understand what it feels like to be hungry, but there is no obligation. During the banquet, students will be divided into groups representing Third World countries, and served a meal on par with the eating standard of their assigned country.
Guest speaker will be Sheldon M. Schuster, president of the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), addressing technology's role in hunger.
Sova Food Pantry: Student volunteers are needed to assist in the Sova Food Pantry on Fridays. Sova fights hunger by assisting more than 2,500 needy people, monthly, in three different community pantries. Students meet at 1:15 and return at 3:30 p.m.
Friday Food Ferry:The Friday Food Ferry brings leftover food from the Athenaeum to the Victory Outreach Women's Shelter on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. The group meets behind the Athenaeum to pick up the food, and then transports it to the shelter.
Children's School: The Children's School of Claremont McKenna College will be serving its annual Thanksgiving feast from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24. The feast is open to all faculty and staff of CMC.
As more service opportunities may become available as the semester ends, contact the Community Service Office for additional information: 909-607-8300, or e-mail: communityservice@mckenna.edu.