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National Volunteer Week kicked off Sunday and is set to end April 30 with an appreciation night. The University of Maine Black Bear Volunteer Program has events planned throughout the week to involve students and staff.
National Volunteer Week dates back to 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration for volunteering.
Since then, every president has honored a week for volunteer service.
The Black Bear Volunteers participate in National Volunteer Week every year.
This will be the fifth year for Lynette Dexter, coordinator of the program.
“Every year we have events during the week then an awards ceremony at the end of the week,” said Dexter.
The theme for this year is “volunteers work wonders,” focusing on thanking those who have volunteered their time while getting more people involved.
The Black Bear Volunteers have asked student organizations to get involved with different events during the week.
“We have all kinds of stuff planned,” said Dexter.
On Monday volunteers like Stephanie Guillemette, a second-year member of the Black Bear Volunteer Program, had dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.
Asked why she chose to volunteer Guillemette said, “It’s the right thing to do. It is also such an amazing feeling to know that you helped someone and made an impact in their life.”
There will also be a showing of “Invisible Children,” a documentary about the humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda at 6:30 p.m. in 100 Donald P. Corbett as well as a free dinner for students in the Wilson Center tonight.
Volunteers will go to Bangor’s Powerhouse Teen Center, a support program on Friday at 7 p.m. and will participate in the Orono Land Trust Clean Up from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Volunteer Appreciation Night will wrap up National Volunteer Week here in Orono in the Bodwell Lounge at the Maine Center for the Arts on Sunday.
Five awards will be given out to students, faculty members, staff, volunteers, the Greek service house and others to show recognition of participation in community service.
Bangor Daily News