Virginia Berg

If you are looking to help out around Brookings, the University Program Council’s Community Service Program is a great way to lend a hand.

Due to the diversity of the groups that the UPC assists, you can help with projects like building houses for Habitat for Humanity or picking up litter with the Adopt-A-Highway Program.

You can also play bingo with the elderly at Brookview Manor or help kids with their homework at an after-school program.

“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” said UPC director Sarah French, and it also “…helps the volunteers to explore new things.”

Worried about how much, or little, time volunteering can take? Have no fear because, as French explains, volunteering through the UPC’s Community Service program can take anywhere between a few hours to a whole day.

Lois Thompson, public relations director at Brookview manor, said that the residents love when the college students come for bingo night, and that they really enjoy talking to the students.

The recipients of volunteer service are not the only ones to benefit from it. According to French, volunteering is a good personality builder, and looks great on future r