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For Valentine’s Day, we here at District didn’t want to bring you the same tired article about STDs, cheap dates or being single on Valentines. You’ve already read all of those numerous times in numerous publications. So, this year, we decided to ask you to share your love with more than just your significant other, friends and family. Valentine’s Day may traditionally be a day of romantic love, but why put limits on love? (Not that you should only share your love one day a year; we hope you do that every day of the year.) This year, expand the recipients of your love. Consider the community your “Valentine” and help the world around you.

But why should I get involved you say? “It’s rewarding to do something other than schoolwork, to impact and influence people’s lives,” said fourth year animation student, Aaron McGriff, who been active in community service since high school. “It’s also a way to feel good at the end of the day.”

McGriff said he has been working both with his residence hall council and SOS’ service club coordinator to set up more opportunities for students. He said, “Boys and Girls club desperately needs help. They’re turning kids away because they’re so severely understaffed.”

First year illustration student Mimia Johnson said, “It is important that we share our time, talent, and resources with others that are not as lucky as ourselves. Just think if everyone only took an hour or so out of their week to volunteer, what an impact we could make.”

Johnson said that she was very involved in volunteer work while in high school. Now, in addition to volunteering as one of SCAD’s student ambassadors, she is setting up some projects with the Montessori school.

Student Director of Service Opportunities for Students, Mark Roma, said there are numerous activities for students to get involved in. Some activities, such as building homes through Habitat for Humanity and serving in a soup kitchen through Deli Project, are ongoing. Union Mission and the Salvation Army are always looking for help. Students seeking more information about SOS’ events can contact the office through email at sos@scad.edu, by phone at 525-8800 or they can simply stop by their office in Dyson Lobby. Roma said SOS serves to supply food, supplies, transportation and communication with the volunteer sites.

Many times students have found these opportunities on their own. “We’ve stumbled across students who have been volunteering at a site for years who have never been involved with SOS,” he said.

Most students get involved because of passion for a particular cause, according to Roma. “These students extend themselves and ask questions about how they can help.” He said that SOS’ Art Educators program is one of the most popular. Many students who are passionate about the environment work with Students for a Better Environment. Roma and McGriff said they most enjoy working with kids. I’ve always been passionate about animals so I’ve spent time volunteering for a no-kill shelter for sick, abandoned and abused cats. Help the cause you’re passionate about.

Other students may get involved because they are new in school without much to do with their time; they’re looking for something to do, according to Roma. Also, many clubs get involved as a social activity or to get more funding through USF’s service grant.

According to Roma, most of SOS’ volunteers and coordinators would be just as involved even if there were no SOS. He said he himself hadn’t known much about what SOS did until this year’s Splash. As director, he was required to go to all 8 different sites. “It was an amazing time. It’s so great to see students involved,” he said.

What’s that? You say you’re too busy to help? Volunteering at the shelter was often the highlight of my week. Roma said that he often feels more energized after volunteering.

“At the end of last quarter, when I was the most stressed, working with the kids at East Broad Elementary reenergized me. It was like an emotional recharge. I had more energy than I had before from being around those kids,” he said.

Johnson said, “Sometimes it feels like I am in the constant juggling act just trying to keep up with everything … For me, it is figuring out what is important, and doing what I have to do to get it done.”

“A lot of times it’s more rewarding when you have to sacrifice,” said McGriff.

“I volunteer because I know I will never realize what it meant to even the one person who I helped. Granted, I don’t know what it is like to be an abused child, have a child who is extremely sick, or not know what it is like to own my own home, or even get to just sleep under a roof every night, but I can help my fellow human beings who know these realities all too well,” said Johnson.

Even though volunteering is a way to share your love with the community, many feel the love being returned to them. Johnson said that she has always received a positive response from those that she has helped. Many of the cats at the shelter who had been afraid of people warmed up to me and begged for attention. Eventually, many found permanent homes.

McGriff said about his experiences working with the kids at East Broad, “A lot of times, you can tell on their faces … They light up when you walk in the room.”

He has had similar experiences through his work as a student ambassador. “Students have come up to me and said, ‘You led my tour. You’re one of the reasons I came here.’”

“I don’t do it for the praise,” he said. “It just makes you feel good inside.”

Although most, if not all volunteers are doing so to help others, many find that they get just as much, if not more, out of it than those they are helping. Even the students who were only volunteering because they were required to do so enjoyed themselves at the end of the day, according to McGriff.

“It gives you a different outlook. You think differently and take less for granted … It’s more rewarding than people give it credit for,” said McGriff.

You can also help in more passive ways. Donate items you no longer need. McGriff said that all of the residence halls have a clothing drive going on for the next few weeks. Johnson has helped in the past by donating more than 10” of her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that uses donated hair to make wigs for kids who suffer from long-term medical hair loss.

Or if you’re one of those rare students with deep pockets, get out your checkbook. Instead of spending $100 on a nice dinner, think about how that money could help the world around you.

McGriff said that he “encourages everyone to be able to look back and see how you’ve helped someone other than yourself.”