Michelle Schraudner
Life Editor
As the holiday season draws near, it’s easy to get caught up in the anticipation of family reunions and comfort foods. For many, it’s easy to forget that people and groups in Pocatello could use a helping hand.
Idaho State University’s Student Activities Board (SAB) is making an effort to improve our college town this year by facilitating volunteering opportunities around the area.
“We help wherever we can locally,” said SAB Co-Director Anjel Zamora.
SAB partnered up with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars to coordinate the volunteering events, said Zamora. The groups alternate planning the volunteer efforts.
Zamora said the Service Saturday events are held once a month on whatever Saturday works best for that month’s schedule. SAB avoids scheduling Service Saturdays on holidays, university events or on days when the Bengals have a home game.
Organizations around Pocatello often contact SAB when they’re in need of volunteers. Zamora said a recent recipient of Service Saturday’s volunteer efforts was the Pocatello Zoo.
During the cold fall and winter months, the group shifts its efforts from the outdoors to indoor-based activities, including putting together care packages.
Creating care packages will be the theme of the upcoming Service Saturday, held Nov. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Bengal Cafe.
Each Service Saturday event lasts two hours, said Zamora. When the activities take place off campus, SAB provides transportation to any volunteers who need it. If volunteers can get themselves to that day’s site, they’re welcome to meet up with the other volunteers there.
Although each Service Saturday has a theme, like care packages, multiple volunteering options are offered for those who come so that everyone can find a way to use their talents that is interesting to them.
Clubs who attend with more than four members will earn incentive points from ASISU, making it a way for clubs to earn points and give back to the community.
A schedule of events can be found at www.isu.edu/sab/events.
Interested volunteers can contact SAB for more information by emailing ude.usinull@BAS.
