Volunteer Improvement Program

BY KELLY BINGHAM The Signpost correspondent

OGDEN - Whether it's child's play, Christmas trees or helping the "houseless," the Weber State University Volunteer Involvement Program gives students opportunities to make a difference in the community.

Located in Shepherd Union Building Room 419, VIP's mission is "to stimulate volunteerism and promote student involvement in public service activities and to provide meaningful service opportunities, worthwhile experiences and a balance in college life." WSU student fees fund it.

Jacob Patterson, WSU senior, got involved in VIP at the beginning of fall semester.

"The VIP program is really good because it's how Weber State connects with the community," Patterson said.

Patterson is the chair for CARES, one of several VIP programs. CARES is an after-school program for inner-city elementary school children. WSU students serve at local schools, socializing with kids through games and activities. CARES is currently assisting children at Lincoln Elementary in North Ogden.

"The kids who participate come because they have a single parent who is working, or have a terrible home life or just can't go home right after school," Patterson said. "We've taken the kids to the Ogden Nature Center. Last month, we made puppets. Sometimes we play dodge ball and other sports."

CARES uses sports and other activities to help children overcome their self-doubt.

"We were playing crab soccer and this little girl walks out and she says she doesn't want to play because she's not really good at it," Patterson said. "We asked her to look around at everyone on their hands and knees looking like idiots. We said no one is good at this, so just go back out and have a good time."

CARES see their WSU volunteers as mentors, providing a positive influence on the children.

"The kids light up when we come, they love to see us," Patterson said. "It gives them the sense that, because we are their friends and we go to college, that they can do it, too."

VIP's services include Habitat for Humanity, which builds housing for low-income families; the Special Olympics; and Projects for the Homeless at the Ogden Rescue Mission Center.

Julienne Gleed, WSU political science junior, has been involved in VIP for two years. In 2004, she was the homeless projects chairwoman.

"On Halloween, we went trick-or-treating for canned goods," Gleed said. "We put up fliers on doors in a couple of neighborhoods before we went out and people gave us boxes of food. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time. People are really giving."

The project was able to raise two SUV loads of canned goods, which were donated to St. Anne's Center and the Ogden Rescue mission.

This year, Gleed is heading the 11th annual Christmas Tree Express.

"We're getting these Christmas trees out to the departments so they can decorate them," Gleed said. "We'll set the decorated trees up in the bridge; they will be up for two weeks and then the departments will donate the trees to a needy family."

Each participating department determines to whom their tree will be donated.

Serving in the VIP program offers tangible rewards for the participants. Besides earning scholarship money, Patterson feels rejuvenated from class work whenever he volunteers.

"The experience is good for us because we get - we are all bogged down in our school work, then when we meet the kids, they run to see us and give us hugs, say we're their best friends," Patterson said. "They have such energy and enthusiasm and it rubs off on you."

In July 2003, former President George H. Bush recognized VIP for its charitable efforts.

"Your acts of generosity and community action exemplify the spirit of service and set a standard of excellence to which people of all ages can aspire," Bush wrote in a letter to VIP.

Patterson believes volunteering gives students depth of character.

"It shows that college students are concerned with more than just our grades; we're able to give back," Patterson said. "I would encourage everyone to come and see what looks interesting and come get involved. It's a chance to show what you're made of."

To find out more about the Volunteer Involvement Program go to organizations.weber.edu/volunteerinfo/VIP.html.

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