Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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Krista Brown and Dani Elliot team up on a game of musical chairs. Photo By Corot Anne Patterson J essica Brown and Telly Wells take time out of the festivities to have a chat. Photo 8y Corot Anne Patterson This year there were 119 pairs and 40 students were under application process, which is quite a few. “Even if there arc a lot of children on the waiting list,” Vcdaa said, “We don’t accept a volunteer until we decide they are the appropriate person. Iking a Big Brother or Big Sister is a great responsibility.” Basically Volunteer Services recruited in fall term because the volunteers arc expected to have their relationship with their “little brother or sister” for at least one year. Story By Rciko Tani 'Qrotk.er Sister-

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Many Benton Count)' children are looking for someone to be their friend, someone to share activities, and give them attention and positive reinforcement. And OSU matched them, five to 14 years old. with students who signed up to be a volunteer in the program. Most of these children arc from single-parent households and through this experience, they learn to develop one-to-one relationships. Sometimes they arc going to be a life-long relationship, Mary Vedaa. the director of Student Volunteer Services, said. This activity was totally volunteer and students did not get paid or credit. They arc expected to spend two hours a week with their “little brother or sister.” Student Volunteer Services put on one activity a month that students, the children, and their families could participate in. Activities such as a party, hiking, and so on. Estimated cost per a pair for one year is SI20, and these costs are sponsored by fraternity houses, sorority houses, and residence halls. Katelyn Bailey followed by Krista Brown play musical chairs at the Christmas Party. Photo By Carol Anne Patterson Allison Rooks-Armstrong and Donna Knight pose for a big little picture. Photo by Carol Anne Patterson “D JL art of the Community - this has been OSU s long-range objective. And student Volunteer services has been working on it by encouraging OSU students to join the Big Brother Big Sister Program. This program was started in 1965 by Student Volunteer Services as the YM-YWCA Round Table. Since then, this program has been a strong connection between OSU and the community. Student J,ijc • iS

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OSU tries to make an event out of each blood drive in hopes of recruiting more people to give of their time and blood. KBVR-FM the campus radio station sets up and broadcasts live from the Ballroom. This is not only to recruit more people to the drive, but to make the experience a little more fun for those who work for the Red Cross. Anyone is allowed to give blood, as long as you haven't been sick, or don’t fit some of the other factors that put you at high risk for having tainted blood. Each person goes through a history with a nurse who also takes a small sample of blood to be tested for disease or sickness. Then you arc only known by a number to keep the anonymity. Once that portion is completed the donor goes to the phlcbotomist to have their blood drawn. Stacy, a volunteer for the Red Cross offers a student who just gave blood a doughnut for some strength. T Jl he Red Cross usually makes its presence known once a term. Some of the time they set up shop in the MU Ballroom, or they park two large busses on the brick mall and perform their duties there. Student J ift • 20