Students Ready for International Volunteer Day 2003

Thousands of volunteers around the world are preparing to celebrate International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5. “Students from California State University, Fullerton are proud and honored to be joining others around the world in celebrating this annual event,” said Sabrina Sanders, coordinator of the university’s Volunteer & Service Center.

This year, CSUF students will be partnering with Fullerton Gardens, a local senior care home for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

This event is being sponsored by the university’s Volunteer & Service Center and Office of International Education and Exchange. Most volunteers are Cal State Fullerton international students. During the day of the event, students will provide cultural presentations and share their cultural heritage and traditions with the residents at Fullerton Gardens. At the same time, student volunteers will also gain more knowledge about Alzheimer’s and senior citizens in the United States. The presentations will include Bulgarian guitar and Japanese singing performances. Besides the cultural presentations, volunteers also will help serve meals, coordinate games and assist in day-to-day activities.

“International Volunteer Day is not only a special event for people to volunteer globally, it is also a way to promote cultural diversity and awareness,” said Michelle Chen, an undergraduate coordinating the project. “Most of all, it is an event that will serve the community, in addition to making an impact on someone's life.”

In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly designated Dec. 5 as an annual celebration of voluntary action by people, communities and governments of the world. International Volunteer Day is for volunteers of all walks of life working in communities around the globe. The United Nations Volunteers program is the designated international focal point for observance. More information is available on the interactive web site www.worldvolunteerweb.org .

Please contact the Cal State Fullerton Volunteer & Service Center at 657-278-7623, e-mai:l volunteer@fullerton.edu or visit the center in Titan Student Union Room 2 for additional information, resources or questions.