BY LAKIN ZIEGLER

Service Learning

Service Learning

Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

(http://servicelearning.org/what-service-learning)

Benefits ofService Learning

Benefits for the Community-provides meaningful services to our community

-creates opportunities for community agencies to participate in student learning-builds community awareness of college programs and services

Benefits for the Student-clarifies values

-promotes community and civic responsibility -fosters social and personal development -encourages multicultural awareness

(http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/sl/cgcc/benefits.html)

Service-Learning Experience

Some service learning that I have done includes:

-donating shoes to Shoes for Souls-Operation Christmas Child-Tabs for Tots-FYE Car Wash

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FYE Car Wash

The FYE Car Wash was to raise money

for the American Cancer Society. It

definitely felt good to be raising money for

a good cause!

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Operation Christmas

Child

For operation Christmas Child, we made gift boxes for children who were

underprivileged. The boxes were filled

with coloring books, crayons, toys, and much more. I think this was my favorite

service-learning activity that I was

part of.

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Shoes for Souls

Shoes for Souls was a program where we

donated our old, slightly worn-in

shoes to those who are less fortunate.

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FYE Car Wash - It felt great to be helping out with a great cause, but after an hour or so, the car wash got a little bit boring. The most important thing is that we raised some money for a great cause!

Operation Christmas Child - I really enjoyed this one, because it was for children. I really had fun filling up the boxes with small toys and crayons; I would have loved to see those kid’s faces when they opened our boxes!

Shoes for Souls - This one was very simple to do, because I had a ton of shoes that I don’t wear anymore. Simple, yet effective!

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What I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that it’s important for those of us who are more fortunate than others to give back to the community. Sometimes it may not be the most fun thing to do, but with some friends to help and a good cause, it can be made much more enjoyable!

Whether you go somewhere to participate in a money-raising activity, or just send in some money or clothing, every little bit helps!

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So get out there and help out byserving yourcommunity!

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