Studies show volunteering improves physical and mental health. Some students choose to donate their time for the satisfaction of a “helper’s high," to socialize or simply for fun. No matter the reason, hundreds of students at Michigan State University (MSU) dedicate a Saturday each fall to the Spartan Day of Service (DOS). They partner with local organizations to make a positive impact in the Greater Lansing area.

The Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) worked with the MSU Alumni Office to organize the fall DOS Oct. 5. A total of 325 students volunteered at 12 sites in the Greater Lansing area and two sites in Detroit, working 1,950 hours total. They collaborated with the Potter Park Zoo, South Lansing Urban Gardens, Allen Neighborhood Center and Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School, estimating a combined financial impact of $61,600. Volunteers worked on sustainable gardening and classroom clean-ups to community flyering and preparing for events. 

DOS In Action

The day begins at the MSU Business College at 8 a.m., when students register and gather for breakfast. MSU faculty, community partners and alumni then deliver speeches filled with encouragement and support. Afterwhich, students receive their lunches and board buses to various sites. Each location has site leaders with emergency information and resources to ensure a safe experience. Volunteers arrive around 10 a.m. and work until 2 p.m., before returning to campus.

Assistant Director of CCEL K.C. (Kristopher) Keyton, has overseen student volunteering and led the charge on DOS for nearly a decade. Keyton highlighted the essential relationships with alumni and community partners for the event’s success. Collaborators share their needs and volunteering opportunities, with suggestions to improve future community service events.

“Without our community partners, we couldn’t offer these programs, and without our students, many nonprofits would struggle to find the volunteer support they need,” said Keyton.

The Power of Service 

Raised in the Lansing area, Keyton’s passion and commitment for giving back to the community has come full circle. He worked as a high school teacher then transitioned to higher education. Keyton felt it was his responsibility to return to Lansing and help MSU students give back to the community he loves. DOS allows students to experience civic responsibility while making an impact on larger social issues.

Keyton encourages students to engage in community service beyond building a resume, for personal growth. The more students volunteer and see the community’s needs, the more they’ll expand their toolbox and perspectives. Community service has ability to introduce students to fields they might work in one day, allow them to discover new passions or inspire a career change.

“We want students to get into the community and step out of their comfort zones, learn professional development skills and understand community issues,” said Keyton. “We’ve had students change their majors after volunteering because of the impact it has made on them.”

Volunteer Veteran 

Haylie Pohlman, an MSU junior nursing student, has been volunteering since her junior year of high school. Pohlman volunteers on a weekly basis with the greater Lansing food bank and has participated in Tower Guard, serving the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. In her hometown, Northville, Michigan, Pohlman makes fleece blankets for pediatric hospital patients at Fleece and Thank You. This fall was her first time participating in DOS.

Pohlman spent her day at Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School, organizing classrooms and prepping materials. They sorted workbook pages, cleaned off desks and wrote on walls. Volunteering at Pattengill gave Pohlman a behind-the-scenes look into creating a supportive learning environment and the demanding work of teaching.

Volunteering has had an impact on Pohlman, both personally and academically. She says she has developed a greater empathy for others, and has been a great opportunity to meet more students and faculty.

“I always love giving back to the community, it makes me feel good and I love seeing the impact of making people smile,” said Pohlman. “I feel like I’ve become a better student, and understand more people different from me.”

Partners for Success 

After DOS, CCEL gathers feedback from students and community partners to enhance future events. Many participants share positive feedback, equating five hours of volunteer work from each student to months of staff labor.

Looking forward, CCEL plans to continue to improve, and provide services such as transportation and meals to show gratitude toward volunteers. Much of DOS success is attributed to the support of community partners including; Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School, South Lansing Urban Gardens, Webster Farms Community Garden, Eastside Community Action Center, Allen Neighborhood Center, Potter Park Zoo, Fenner Nature Center, the Equine Center for Learning, MSU Pollinator Gardens, Rescue Nature Now, and the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation.

“The positive feedback from community partners and the awesome students makes it all worthwhile,” said Keaton. “That’s why I love working at MSU and what makes this place so special.”

To anyone considering volunteering, a couple hours a week can make a huge impact and a world of a difference. For more information visit communityengagedlearning.msu.edu or spartansvolunteer.msu.edu.

Author: Olivia Williams, student communications assistant