By Courtney Hibler
The holiday season has inspired some Youngstown State University students to give back to their communities. Students are volunteering their time at animal shelters, rescue missions, churches, hospitals and more in hopes of giving others a brighter holiday season.
Jenna Pavlansky, a senior psychology major, said she continually volunteers at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Boardman, Ohio.
“We have a Youth Retreat Program that I volunteer for,” she said. “We held a Thanksgiving food drive where we packaged and delivered meals to people that needed them.”
Pavlansky said during the holidays, the church organizes a giving tree in which members of the church will choose a name and purchase a gift for that individual.
“Giving a family a little gift they don’t think they will be getting definitely puts a smile on their face,” she said. “It makes their holiday a little more special.”
Members of YSU sororities and fraternities are required to complete a mandatory number of volunteer hours.
Veronica Hall, a junior communications major and an alumni of Alpha Omicron Pi, said each member was allowed to choose what they wanted to volunteer for.
“It was all individual based,” she said. “We had to find different things to volunteer for, and I chose to volunteer for a food pantry.”
In Hall’s opinion, volunteering is a great way to give back to the many people in Youngstown who are less fortunate.
Nicole Kent-Strollo, director of Student Outreach and Support at YSU and chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board in Mahoning County, said she assists several groups with volunteer opportunities.
“I believe volunteering provides us with a unique opportunity to identify and pursue our passions,” she said.
Kent-Strollo assists the athletic department with volunteering and said some athletes volunteer with the Salvation Army to collect donations.
“Over the past several years, our YSU student athletes, student organizations, faculty, staff, coaches, administration and alumni have helped raise thousands of dollars in critical funds,” she said.
Annette El-Hayek, an advisor to the Arab Language and Culture Association, hosts dinners for students so they can “feel at home.”
El-Hayek said it’s important everyone feels included in something, and she thinks the dinners provide unity as well as a place for students to socialize with one another.
Halle Van Scoy, a junior finance major, said she volunteers at New Lease on Life Animal Shelter in Struthers, Ohio, and mentioned volunteers play an important role for the shelter.
“A lot of the dogs don’t go outside and walk around unless a volunteer comes out,” she said. “It can get overwhelming if there’s no help.”
Van Scoy said an adoption event, including cats, dogs and rabbits, was held last year around Christmas on a tree farm.
“It’s important for people to adopt,” she said. “The event was successful and I’m hoping to hear it will happen again this year.”
Hall said volunteering is a humbling experience.
“It’s especially important to volunteer during the holidays because you never know who needs a helping hand,” she said. “It makes you look at things differently and I think it’s rewarding.”
A list of a few places to volunteer in the Youngstown area include:
Animal Charity of Ohio
Volunteers at this animal shelter can walk dogs, play with and interact with the animals.
Located at 4140 Market St. in Boardman, Ohio.
(330) 788-1064
New Lease on Life
Volunteers at this animal shelter can walk dogs, work adoption events and care for the animals.
Located at 2773 E. Midlothian Blvd. in Struthers, Ohio.
(330) 397-8270
Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley
Volunteers can serve meals, babysit children, organize a project and tutor.
Located at 962 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Youngstown, Ohio.
(330) 744-5486
Sunrise of Poland – Senior Assisted Living
Volunteers can organize outings, spend an afternoon with residents and participate in activities.
Located at 335 West McKinley Way in Youngstown, Ohio.
(330) 707-1313
Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital
Volunteers can answer telephones, deliver flowers, restock closets and change linens.
Located at 1044 Belmont Ave. in Youngstown, Ohio.
(330) 746-7211
