Staff Reporter

SERRV: A nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.

From delicious chocolates to beautiful hand woven baskets, Serrv International sees it as their obligation to make sure that these products are sold at the right price, and that the people who craft them earn the profit they deserve for producing such incredible goods.

Serrv International is a non-profit organization, based out of New Windsor, Maryland, that has been around for over 60 years, they specialize in fair-trade. The organization is very prosperous, but because they are non-profit they rely on volunteers to keep the organization afloat.

“Serrv is a local organization that everyone should attempt to volunteer with, or at least purchase of of the hand made goods. They have a very beautiful and high quality items for reasonable prices. It’s a great way to play a part as a global citizen and your contributions in anyway further help the development of the different countries,” said junior, Jocelyn McKinley. McKinley has been volunteering for Serrv for about two years now. She volunteers with her sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma. Her sorority sends around 4-10 volunteers just about every week throughout the fall semester.

The fall season is Serrv’s busiest time of the year because that is when they bring in the majority of the goods for the up coming year and for the holiday season. So the demand for volunteers is at its peak. According to Kathy Harley Serrv has been exporting over 100,000 dollars worth of goods each day this fall which is a very impressive achievement for the organization.

Harley urges people from the McDaniel Community to come to Serrvs annual overstock sale. The sale begins November 24 through December 4, 2010. All products will be 60% which makes it a great opportunity to get a little Christmas shopping while helping out the global economy.

Contributor

Look at the person sitting to your right. Now look at the person sitting to your left. Today, it is difficult to tell who could use a helping hand. It is difficult to differentiate between those who have fallen victim to the wretches of the economy and those who have not.

Growing up in Westminster, I have come to know people from all paths; the fortunate and the less fortunate. I have volunteered at various shelters and have worked in Westminster for four years; I know the people, I have witnessed their struggles. I know what it is like to live from paycheck to paycheck unsure of how I will be able to pay my bills.

In a country that seems to revolve around the holidays, the wintery season is especially important to society because of two big days: Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the year there are many holidays: birthdays, Valentines Day, Easter, The Fourth of July and Labor Day.

The two most significant to Americans are typically Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these two holidays families are united, gifts are exchanged, elaborate meals are cooked, and seemingly everyone is in the spirit for the season of giving.

However, there are families out there, people just like you and me who aren’t in the spirit, people who cannot spend money on gifts and fun meals. These people are the at-risk population in your neighborhood.

This holiday season I urge you to help out. Lend a helping hand to the at-risk population of Carroll County; lend a hand to a friend, a neighbor, a stranger; lend a hand to anyone who could use the help.

You can help by contacting Neighbors in Need of Carroll County, a branch of Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. This program provides families in need with gifts and food during the Holidays, things that many of us often take for granted. This program typically “adopts” families during the holiday. However, HSP and Neighbors in Need encourage any donations, as well as volunteers, to help during the Holiday.

You can also make a difference this holiday season by helping out at the Cold Weather Shelter, another branch of HSP that lasts from November to March. This program helps men and women ages 18 and older by providing them with shelter throughout the winter season. You help by donating necessities that these men and women need or by volunteering your time at the shelter itself. Many people underestimate the power of speech– a few kind words can both turn a person’s day around and provide inspiration.

Whether you can lend a hand by simply spending some of your time at a shelter or sending in gifts to the Neighbors in Need program for a family who could really use the support, I encourage everyone to get out there this holiday season and do something positive. The people in Carroll County—your neighbors and friends, the at-risk population, need your help these next few months. Food for Thanksgiving, gifts for Christmas—anything you can do will help. So get out there! I know I’ll be helping out. They question is: will you?

Contacting HSP or its respective branches is easy and helping out is just as simple. To contact Human Service Programs of Carroll County for volunteering purposes just call 410-857-2999 extension 3060.

Staff Reporter

SERRV: A nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.

From delicious chocolates to beautiful hand woven baskets, Serrv International sees it as their obligation to make sure that these products are sold at the right price, and that the people who craft them earn the profit they deserve for producing such incredible goods.

Serrv International is a non-profit organization, based out of New Windsor, Maryland, that has been around for over 60 years, they specialize in fair-trade. The organization is very prosperous, but because they are non-profit they rely on volunteers to keep the organization afloat.

“Serrv is a local organization that everyone should attempt to volunteer with, or at least purchase of of the hand made goods. They have a very beautiful and high quality items for reasonable prices. It’s a great way to play a part as a global citizen and your contributions in anyway further help the development of the different countries,” said junior, Jocelyn McKinley. McKinley has been volunteering for Serrv for about two years now. She volunteers with her sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma. Her sorority sends around 4-10 volunteers just about every week throughout the fall semester.

The fall season is Serrv’s busiest time of the year because that is when they bring in the majority of the goods for the up coming year and for the holiday season. So the demand for volunteers is at its peak. According to Kathy Harley Serrv has been exporting over 100,000 dollars worth of goods each day this fall which is a very impressive achievement for the organization.

Harley urges people from the McDaniel Community to come to Serrvs annual overstock sale. The sale begins November 24 through December 4, 2010. All products will be 60% which makes it a great opportunity to get a little Christmas shopping while helping out the global economy.

Staff Reporter

Circle K at McDaniel is making a comeback, with significantly more members than in past years. This community service organization had been struggling, and membership had been the biggest issue. This is true no longer, as membership tripled in one week!

“It’s really exciting to see that people are interested in helping the community,” said club President Bryannia Bongiorni, a sophomore.

Circle K is an international service organization with over 500 clubs in 17 nations that collectively perform over one million hours of service annually. McDaniel students are joining in, working with organizations such as the Humane Society, Happy Helpers, and the Aktion Club while gaining leadership experiences and making friends.

“The good thing about this club is that is can be what you want it to be,” said Bongiorni. “It can be community service or it can be social or it can be both, which is the ideal- a group of friends helping the community.”

In past years, Circle K has also helped out at a local day care, played bingo with people in a nursing home, and made dinner at the Hopkins house.

“I’m really excited to help rebuild this club, because it not only helps the Westminster area, but we help internationally as well,” said freshman Rebekah James.

The organization’s mission statement is “developing college and university students into a global network of responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to service.” Circle K is part of the K-family, headed by the Kiwanis Club, an organization dedicated to serving the children of the world. Other members of this family include the Key Club for high school students, Builders Club for middle school students, K-Kids for elementary school students, and the Aktion club for adults with disabilities.

“Circle K is really flexible, because you can be as committed as you want to be,” said Bongiorni. “It really is what you make of it.”

Circle K at McDaniel is optimistic and enthusiastic about establishing a larger presence on campus. Meetings are Wednesdays at 9:45 p.m. in Academic Hall, Room 109. If interested in joining, contact Bryannia Bongiorni, blb012@mcdaniel.edu.