Meet DU Good Day site coordinators who have stepped up to serve
Drake’s National Alumni Association has slated October 22, 2011, as DU Good Day. Event coordinators are currently seeking site leaders for projects across the country on this national day of service. Register to participate and find further information online.
Meet three alumnae who are leading the cause:
Jane Fiegen Green, AS’07, St. Louis, Mo.
Why I was inspired to take part in DU Good Day: I have become involved with my local Drake alumni chapter, and I enjoy feeling like I’m part of the St. Louis community. I hope that DU Good Day will help me meet more local alumni and make me feel more at home in this city, where I am pursuing my doctorate at Washington University.
Where are you volunteering? I chose Gateway Greening, a group that organizes and supports community gardens, because I enjoyed two summers of tending my own plot. This organization promotes sustainable agriculture, good nutrition and community interaction. Plus, we get to play in the dirt on a beautiful St. Louis autumn day!
How Drake exposed me to the value of service: I had some great service experiences at Drake, particularly through the Honors Program. I enjoyed taking ownership of the activities and feeling like a full member of the community, not just a transient college student. Whenever I drive past the downtown branch of the Des Moines Public Library, I can remember that I was there on opening day, helping kids get excited about reading!
Megan Caldbeck, JO’05, Denver
Why I was inspired to take part in DU Good Day: I want to become more involved in my community, and I haven’t been here long enough to become familiar with available volunteer opportunities. DU Good Day is a great chance for me to reach out of my comfort zone and explore the needs of the community a little more.
To me, community service means: Recognizing the needs of your neighbors and, more importantly, recognizing that a little goes a long way.
What’s special about volunteering with other Drake alumni and friends: Helping people is a contagious thing. As soon as you realize the difference it makes and the fact that it’s not difficult to find a place that needs your help, you realize how many people have the same idea. That’s what happened while I was at Drake. As a member of a sorority, there were always ways to help others, and it was great to be able to do that with other students. I fully anticipate that’s what will happen at DU Good Day as well.
Natalie Johansen, JO, BN’08, Davenport, Iowa
Why I was inspired to take part in DU Good Day: Ever since graduating and leaving Des Moines, I have been looking for a way to reconnect with Drake. When this opportunity arose, I thought it was the perfect way to couple my enthusiasm for volunteer work with my desire to engage with other Drake alumni. I am really looking forward to meeting the network of alumni in the Quad Cities.
How are you giving back? We will be serving breakfast to the homeless. Providing assistance to those in need takes a lot of work and this organization in particular not only provides food but also resources to get people back on there feet and integrated into the community.
To me, community service means: Using and sharing your skill sets to help out organizations and people in need. Giving back can be the most rewarding work you can accomplish.
Read about other DU Good Day site coordinators profiled in the June edition of eBlue.