UF students, others asked to volunteer 100 million minutes

August 18, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida hopes a campaign to generate volunteerism this school year will result in 100 million minutes of community service by students and other area residents.

UF’s Center for Leadership and Service in the Division of Student Affairs, Santa Fe Community College and the Volunteer Center of Alachua County are challenging the community to pledge the service between September and April 2006. Last year, UF students alone completed 32 million minutes of service through the Gator Service Challenge, exceeding a challenge of 20 million minutes.

The campaign kicks off Sept. 7 with an announcement at the GatorFest pep rally at the O’Connell Center. Pledge cards and information on how to participate will be distributed at the Center for Leadership and Services’ first universitywide event, Gator Plunge on Sept. 10.

This year, UF and SFCC students will be asked to pledge 50 million minutes of service, while Alachua County residents are expected to pledge the remaining 50 million minutes.

“By showing support for this campaign throughout the community, we will be able to provide the community with over 833,333 hours of service by serving meals to the hungry, providing clothes for the poor, educating our students, mentoring our youth and helping countless community agencies service those that need us the most,” said Colette M. Taylor, assistant dean of students and associate director of UF’s Center for Leadership and Service. If the goal is reached, the value of that time would be $14 million, based on the value of a volunteer hour — $17.50 — estimated by the Points of Light Foundation.

Last year, UF students contributed minutes through a range of volunteerism, including mentoring school-age students, providing legal advice to low-income residents and giving parties at government-funded day care centers. Students also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, St. Francis House and the Ronald McDonald House, among many other charitable agencies.

“Everyone has the opportunity to get involved in their community, as an individual, a family or a group, and can pledge their minutes,” Taylor said. “Community members can volunteer any way they choose.”

Pledges will be accepted by the Volunteer Center of Alachua County, UF’s Center for Leadership and Service and SFCC’s Office of Community Service. The Volunteer Center will catalog hours by tracking their individual hours.

UF will celebrate achievements of the year’s campaign at a dinner on April 11 in the Reitz Student Union.

More information about the campaign can be found at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/cls/.