Philanthropy, hands-on work make impact
Students, faculty and staff contributed more than $9.6 million in time and money to service during the 2012-2013 school year, according to the USC Community Service Report.
Last year, there were 23,194 volunteers who committed to a total of 502,334 service hours. There was also $978,736 in monetary donations, creating a total estimated economic impact of $9,618,880.80.
“The spirit of giving of our university community never ceases to amaze me,” Kim McMahon, director of Campus Life and the Russell House University Union said. “This service reflects our deep commitment to the community and our desire to engage students in activities that will set the tone for a lifetime of active citizenship. Serving is important to us, yet the self-awareness and learning that comes with it is priceless.”
As a result of the service USC has accomplished, the college received the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement: USC was named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
In the 2011-2012 academic year, USC had 30,676 volunteers give a total of 472,152 service hours and $1.3 million in monetary donations to make an impact of $9,288,245.32.
This school year, there was a drop in the number of volunteers but an increase in service hours, which created a larger impact than in previous years.
Service programs at the University of South Carolina began in 1989. The Department of Student Life and the Office of Community Service Programs now offers many service opportunities such as Service Saturdays, Weekly Impact events and alternative break trips.
Service Saturdays happen three times a semester. There are also service days in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. every spring which are the largest campuswide community service event.
There are 10 Weekly Impact Service Projects that happen throughout the week that help different organizations in the community.
Taurie Thomason, a second-year elementary education student, leads groups in the Fill the Van Program that is part of the Weekly Impact Service Projects.
“I love that here at Carolina so many students are interested in serving the community,” Thomason said.
Thomason also volunteers in other USC programs such as Relay for Life, which she says is one of the most impactful events at USC because so many people know someone who has suffered from cancer.
Thomason leads a group to the Washington Street Soup kitchen every week and said she usually has five to six students sign up to serve.
“Here in the city, homelessness is a big issue,” Thomason said. “I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity to help [the homeless]. I enjoy seeing them smile through their rough times; it puts my problems in perspective. I think its something all students should experience.”