Le Moyne is known for having an impressive history of community service, and there are numerous ways for the whole Le Moyne community to get involved and become a part of community service. some of its members may not know exactly how they can be part of helping our surrounding community.

At Le Moyne’s Campus Ministry, Father Dolan, S.J., has played an essential role in finding ways in which Le Moyne can serve others.

“As a campus minister, I’m the person whose job includes facilitating, connecting students and other people on campus with local volunteer service opportunities, but also in facilitating – besides individual people getting connected through Campus Ministry – the campus-wide service projects, of people going out in groups, whether it’s clubs or organizations,” he said.

Father Dolan said there are many avenues students can take to get involved in service. It’s not just Campus Ministry that holds the key. Other areas of Le Moyne have helped and continue to help connect people to service opportunities.

According to Father Dolan, volunteer activities range from group activities, to “opportunities for individual people to engage in regular service during the semester,” to the volunteer activities of athletic teams and clubs.

For instance, group activities include the Rescue Mission Dinner Serving, which takes place on Saturday afternoons during the fall and spring semesters. Students participate in this activity in teams of seven to ten students, leaving campus at 3pm and returning at 6pm.

Junior Christine Peterson who began to volunteer at the Rescue Mission this past October said, “I would definitely say that, so far, my experiences are positive. Although I’ve only volunteered a couple of times, you feel like you’ve made a little difference in the world.”

Other group opportunities include volunteering with Emmaus Ministry each month in an event called “To the Streets,” where volunteers assist people who are in need of food and shelter.

Dolphins Dive Into Serve is another group-oriented event in which people can take part. Father Dolan noted that there has been “increasing interest” in this campus-wide event. The most recent Dolphins Dive Into Serve event took place on Sept.  20 and 130 people participated in volunteer activities at 12 different locations. The next Dolphins Dive Into Serve event will be held next year on April 18.

For people who would prefer to volunteer on a more individual basis, there is an array of activities in which they can participate. Helping Hounds No Kill Dog Shelter, for example, is in need of volunteers, Father Dolan said. The shelter is located close to campus, adjacent to Shoppingtown Mall. After volunteers first receive training, then they can walk the dogs living at the shelter.

Students with an interest in providing assistance to children can serve at “H.W. Smith School, which is a really fine school,” said Father Dolan. It is is located within walking distance of campus.

For other volunteer opportunities that are further off campus transportation can be provided by the college.

With so many options to choose from, where is the best place to start? Father Dolan advises that “First, think what is it you would like to do, what kind of people would you like to help,  and then, think about your time commitment.” Father Dolan says many places need people that can serve on a regular or occasional basis, so it’s important to make sure you’re available to dedicate yourself to the work.

Since this semester is ending rather soon, Father Dolan encourages people to think ahead and consider volunteering in the spring semester, when many opportunities will be available.

Many people find volunteering to be a personally enriching experience. Father Dolan believes that it is a way for people to use their “gifts, talents, and time to make the world a better place.”

There are a number of other volunteer opportunities that have not been included here. If you would like to learn more about other opportunities, or to participate in one of the activities noted here, visit Campus Ministry, or contact Father Dolan at [email protected]. By e-mailing Father Dolan, you will be included in an “e-mail tree for local volunteer service interest,” notified when a volunteer opportunity arises, and linked to the opportunity that most interests you.