July 03. 2003 :: No. 5

Cal State Fullerton Students Recognized for Volunteerism and Community Service

Cal State Fullerton’s Volunteer & Service Center has wrapped up the first part of a 2003 campaign to promote volunteer service by honoring four students and a student organization for their service accomplishments.

The 100K Hours of Service campaign’s advisory board presented Volunteer of the Month awards to Shilpa Balan of Anaheim, Tanaz Billimoria of Irvine, Lindsey Carter of Silverado Canyon and Nicole Nanchy of Yorba Linda.

Balan, a political science graduate student, was recognized for her advocacy work with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County. Senior English major Billimoria volunteers with Companion Hospice. Carter, a senior majoring in child and adolescent studies, works with special education students at Utt Middle School in Tustin. June graduate Nanchy, who majored in human services, was honored for founding Marine Moms Together to provide emotional support for mothers of soldiers.

The board also recognized the Afro-Ethnic Student Association with the Most Active Student Organization Award for the members’ work with inner-city high school students from Compton, Dominguez and Centennial high schools.
“These students are spending their free time to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and that merits recognition for their good work,” said Sabrina Sanders, director of the Volunteer & Service Center.

While each student donated numerous hours of volunteer service, the advisory board also looked at the uniqueness of the service, the commitment to service and motivation of the volunteers.

The 100K Hours of Service campaign was launched this spring. Cal State Fullerton students, faculty and staff members are being encouraged to record their volunteer hours in an effort to reach the 100,000-hours goal by the end of the year. So far, 30,000 hours have been logged.

“People are always asking ‘What can I do?’” said Sanders. “It only takes a few hours to make a difference. Our motto is ‘Hey!…It’s your world! Change it!’”