Saturdays are for the boys — and girls — to participate in volunteer work during the University of Idaho’s annual Saturday of Service (SOS).
Ayomipo Kayode-Popoola, the lead local service coordinator for the Center of Volunteerism and Social Action, said SOS draws an average of 500 students and more than 20 nonprofit organizations on the Palouse and surrounding areas.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to become connected with each other and the local community through volunteer service,” Kayode-Popoola said. “This year we have over 20 different community organizations registered. Anything from local schools, like Moscow Middle School or charter schools, to nonprofit organizations across the Palouse. Each organization has their own unique tasks they need help with.”
She said SOS is not only an opportunity for any Vandal, but an opportunity for staff and faculty to be active as well.
“With Saturday of Service, and all service events, they’re open to all Vandals,” Kayode-Popoola said.
She said students turning out to support the community means a great deal to her.
“I’m grateful we have students who care enough to participate in something like this,” Kayode-Popoola said. “Typically, we like to focus on students, but if faculty, or staff, were interested in participating, they have that option as well. We really think it’s important for our entire community of Vandals to get involved with serving and giving back, and we extend that opportunity to anybody that is interested.”
Kayode-Popoola, who participated in SOS in the past, said giving back to the community is a very gratifying experience.
“Serving with a team of students — it really builds a comradery and relationships,” Kayode-Popoola said. “There is also a lot of satisfaction and gratification of giving back to the community. As a college town, people may not realize, we are given so much.”
Kayode-Popoola said students can gain internship opportunities from involved organizations as well.
“I’m grateful we have students who care enough to participate in something like this,” Kayode-Popoola said.
Jake Clark, a sophomore studying wildlife resources at UI, said he participated in SOS during his first year and still maintains relationships from the experience today.
“Saturday of Service was great when I did it,” Clark said. “For the life of me, I can’t recall the exact business I participated at — I believe it was a thrift store. But, I know for certain that I made friends that day, people I still talk to regularly. If it wasn’t for (SOS) I would have probably would have never met them.”
Clark said work obligations and school will keep him from participating this year. However, he said he would recommend the program for students who are new to the community.
“I mean, it’s a win-win situation,” Clark said. “You get to use a day doing good for people who really appreciate it. Everybody benefits, especially new students trying to find their place.”
Andrew Ward can be reached at [email protected]