VSC plans a variety of special one-time programs that provide opportunities for students to volunteer. Most of these events are large, annual events that require lots of volunteers in order for the event to be a success. There are also opportunities for students to get involved in the leadership of these events. Not only is this a great way to meet other students at Wake Forest, but the events also enable volunteers to work with a variety of community members and serve a variety of needs.
American Red Cross — Assist with blood drives on the Wake Forest campus. Contact Jamie Cohen, (coheje4) or India Diaz, (diazis4) in the Fall & Abi Kamens (kamear5) or Jamie Yezzi. (yezzjk5) if you want to get involved.
Angel Tree — Each December, the Office of Volunteer Services decorates a Christmas Tree with names of needy children in the Winston-Salem area. Each child and their Christmas wishes are listed on an ornament. Students, faculty and staff take ornaments off the tree and purchases presents for the children. These presents are delivered to the children just in time for the holidays! If you want to sponsor a child, look for the tree in front of Pizza Hut in the Benson Center in late November/early December. If you want to get involved in planning this great event, contact Brighid Jensen (jensenbm).
CARE — This group hosts 4 annual, on-campus service events each year. In the fall semester CARE hosts Fall Ball, a dance for the mentally disabled, and Christmas Carnival, a holiday party for underprivileged children. During the spring semester, CARE hosts Field Fiesta, an outdoor field games event for area after-school groups, and Swing into Spring, a “prom-like” dance for the elderly. Contact Amy Keller (kellac5) if you want to volunteer with CARE.
DESK — Paint a desk with an Old Town Elementary student to give him or her a good workspace at home. DESK takes place in the Spring semester and lots of campus groups work as a team to decorate a desk. Individual volunteers are also needed for the event. E-mail volunteer@wfu.edu to help out!
Lighting of the Quad — In 2002, a group of Wake Forest students started a holiday tradition that has grown in size every year! The Lighting of the Quad is an inter-faith holiday program that includes performances by student music groups, reflections by selected students, and the lighting of the Christmas tree. This annual event takes place in early December on the main quad facing Reynolda Hall. Hot Coco, cider, and sweets are provided for all in attendance. If you are interested in helping plan this joyous event, please contact Brighid Jensen (jensenbm).
Project Pumpkin — This is Wake Forest’s largest service tradition. Project Pumpkin provides a safe Halloween experience for about 1000 local children, and it all happens right here at Wake! There is an annual Project Pumpkin Date Auction that happens at the beginning of October to help raise funds for this program. Volunteers participate as escorts, create decorations, sell t-shirts, host carnival booths, hand out candy, volunteer at haunted houses, and coordinate transportation for a day of trick-or-treating and games with local underprivileged children. Hundred’s of volunteers are needed for this great event. Check out the Project Pumpkin website to see how you can get involved, or contact Maddie Simpson (simpmm5@wfu.edu).
SPARC — This pre-orientation program invites entering freshman to participate in a four-day urban plunge of service. Once a student has participated in SPARC, he/she is eligible to be part of the SPARC planning committee as a mentor or chairperson. Contact Brighid Jensen (jensenbm) with questions.
WSUP — Winston-Salem Urban Plunge (WSUP) is a one-time service opportunity for students, faculty and staff. Volunteers serve at a variety of agencies throughout the Winston-Salem community. WSUP is a great way for new volunteers to get a taste of what is it like to serve in the community, and it is an opportunity for our community partners to have some extra volunteer help for an afternoon! WSUP is usually held in the middle of the spring semester (late February or early March). Contact volunteer@wfu.edu for more information!
