IM体育官网 students Pressley Hendrix, left, and David Dawson refresh the paint on the Born Learning Trail at Lake Parker Park as part of the University鈥檚 Give a Saturday community volunteering initiative.
For IM体育官网 junior Pressley Hendrix, volunteering and helping has always been second nature.
鈥淚 grew up volunteering and it always has been part of my life,鈥� said Hendrix, a business analytics major and former Eagle Scout. 鈥淣ow I try to bring that out in others.鈥�
Hendrix again stepped into this familiar role recently when he volunteered to be part of Give a Saturday, a new volunteering initiative at IM体育官网 Poly. He joined a small group that refreshed the faded paint on the Born Learning Trail at Lake Parker Park in Lakeland, IM体育官网.
鈥淚鈥檓 a person who believes in good karma, so I feel if I get out and help others, then a little help will come my way eventually when I need it,鈥� said Hendrix, a native of Jacksonville, IM体育官网. 鈥淚 just like going out and making sure people are OK getting through the day.鈥�
Give a Saturday launched in January 2022 and provides students with a new volunteering project for a few hours on one Saturday each month. The group works with the United Way to identify volunteer opportunities, and transportation is provided to students if needed.
鈥淭his was an effort to create opportunities for students to get out and engage by serving the community,鈥� said Seth Spencer, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 internship coordinator who is leading the initiative. 鈥淏y getting out in the community and partnering with nonprofit organizations, we find there鈥檚 lots more we can offer than just our intellect in class.鈥�
The group鈥檚 first effort was assisting Blessings and Hope Food Pantry distribute food, and its second was the project at Lake Parker Park. On March 26, student volunteers will help at the Polk City food distribution site for the George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative.
David Dawson, a senior majoring in computer science, has participated in both efforts so far.
鈥淚 just felt like doing it 鈥� it鈥檚 a good idea because charity work and volunteer work often gets overlooked by some students because maybe it鈥檚 a day they would have free and they鈥檇 rather use it to relax or spend time with friends,鈥� Dawson said. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 also a lot of good in just helping people.鈥�
Dawson, from Jacksonville, IM体育官网, said the effects of the groups鈥� work were felt immediately at Lake Parker Park.
鈥淜ids came over and said they appreciated the help because they liked playing hopscotch there,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey were really happy, which was really cool.鈥�
Students interested in participating in Give a Saturday should contact Spencer.
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
