The service opportunities in St. George are endless – from volunteering at animal shelters to helping at the Children’s museum – students have a plethora of options.
The service section under Utah Tech University’s Student Involvement and Leadership webpage says the service branch of Utah Tech Student Association provides opportunities to serve on campus and in the community.
According to the website, “The Vice President of Service and four Service Leaders make up the Service Council within the service branch, and together they seek opportunities that build upon core values of service, citizenship, diversity, ethics, and collaboration that create an enduring service oriented mentality.”
There are many reasons for completing service hours. Vice President of service for UTSA Drake Bailey, a junior biology major from Erda, said his job as Vice President of service is to ensure there are service opportunities available for students for a number of reasons:
- Boosting a resume when applying for a job
- Applying for graduate school
- Trying something new
- Searching for personal fulfillment
Bailey said: “Service is an amazing thing. My motto is ‘service makes up the difference’ with all that happens in the world everyday there are some things that just wouldn’t get done unless someone decided to do them out of the goodness of their hearts. I think that understanding is very important to have in nearly every aspect of life.”
Bailey said his team specifically works with Utah Food Bank, Big Brother Big Sisters, St. George Children’s Museum and Red Cross.
If you’re looking for service opportunities for any reason in St. George, here are some options.
Utah Food Bank
Mission: “Fighting hunger statewide”
The Utah Food Bank collects and distributes food throughout the state.
St. George location: 4416 River Road
How to volunteer: No walk-in volunteering is available; you have to schedule a time online. The volunteer form can be found here.
For something immediate, a group of students will be helping organize food and donations March 28. The service sign-up sheet can be found here.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mission: “Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.”
St. George location: 530 E. Tabernacle St.
How to volunteer: To be a “big brother” or a “big sister” to a child you can sign up and volunteer on their website here. Once you have filled out the form, a staff member will be in contact to update you on the process.
St. George Children’s Museum
Mission: “The St. George Children’s Museum (SGCM) provides vibrant and engaging interactive activities that invite children and families to discover, imagine and create!”
Children attend hands-on activities to develop their interests and have an environment to learn.
Location: 86 S. Main St.
How to volunteer: Fill out the volunteer application, and the volunteer coordinator will be in contact.
For something already planned, the museum is looking for volunteers for its annual Easter event April 1. The sign up sheet can be found here.
American Red Cross
Mission: “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”
Red Cross provides essentials such as food and shelter to those who have been involved in threatening disasters.
Location: 476 E. Riverside Drive
How to volunteer: You must contact the St. George chapter to find out what is available in our community.
PAWS – Providing Animals with Support – Adoption Center
Mission: “PAWS advocates the saving of lives in the animal community by rescuing those in need, promoting adoption and encouraging proper health care. ‘Until they all have a home!'”
PAWS is a no-kill animal rescue organization that provides homes for animals who otherwise wouldn’t have one.
Location: 1125 W. 1130 N.
How to volunteer: PAWS is a nonprofit, so the whole organization relies on donations and volunteers. Applications can be submitted here. Volunteer work includes taking care of the dogs and cats in the shelter and office duties.
PAWS also has a thrift store where all the proceeds go toward the adoption center. The thrift store is located at 969 N. 3050 E.
Switchpoint
Mission: “To empower those in need by addressing the underlying cause of poverty; providing a comprehensive plan, and supporting their journey to self-sufficiency.”
Switchpoint is a homeless shelter that provides housing and classes.
St. George location: 948 N. 1300 W.
How to volunteer: Tammy Young, volunteer manager for Switchpoint, said to volunteer, applications can be submitted online or in-person at the Switchpoint Community Resource Center, and Switchpoint is always looking for volunteers.
Young said: “We have volunteers that do laundry for our drop-in clients (bedding & towels), prepare and serve lunches for the soup kitchen, prepare and serve dinners for our residents, assist in meal preparation and service at our childcare facility, assist in the greenhouse or garden, assist in our Rise (tower garden) greenhouse or community garden, help in our thrift store or Boutique, help at our doggy daycare facility, and very soon assisting in our coffee roastery.”
Whatever the reason may be, there are plenty of volunteer positions and opportunities in St. George to change lives for the better.
