With holidays quickly approaching, now is as great a time as ever to give back to our community. The temperature is dropping and what a way to create a warm glow around you, by giving to others. It is said that giving activates a region of the brain that creates happiness, trust, and joy. Careful, giving is also contagious!
Did you know that Western Carolina University provides 24 hours of paid community service leave to eligible employees every year? It is easy to claim. You can find all of the details in Policy 76. Most recently, there has been an EXPANSION OF ALLOWABLE HOURS from the UNC System Office.
The UNC System has received approval to provide a temporary expansion of community service leave. Specifically, the expansion applies to employees who may be volunteering with service organizations in support of COVID-19 activities. With supervisory approval, employees have the opportunity to receive up to 80 hours (in addition to the standard 24 hours of annual CSL) of paid leave for volunteering at a nonprofit that serves individuals impacted by the pandemic. Examples of volunteer activities through a qualifying organization include delivering meals, sorting food donations, supporting non-profit organizations working with vulnerable populations, and conducting wellness checks by calling or texting from your home.
Staff Senate has been a leader in service for many years. Our dedication and desire to do more for our campus community and the surrounding communities through service is a major initiative of ours every year and this year is no different. Our goal for the staff senate is to contribute 450 hours of service this AY.
Please check out the following opportunities available in the area and join us. It’s time to lace up those boots, zip up that winter jacket, pull on the mask, and adorn yourself and others with that “giver’s glow” for the holiday season.
Here are a few opportunities to serve in the area, but these are most definitely not all-inclusive. Many activities we do regularly are considered community service. If you are unsure if your service “counts” for paid community service leave, please check with Anne Banks at 227-2794 or ambanks@email.wcu.edu. For senators, please reach out to Suzanne Melton at scmelton@wcu.edu for more information and to report your time. There are so many ways to serve!
Base Camp Cullowhee cleanup
Monday, August 17, 8am – Friday, November 20, 2020, 5pm
Holiday Mail for Heroes
- Biltmore Park, 3rd floor study area
- Hunter Library, near the circulation desk
- HHS, by the main entrance on the second floor
- Veterans Resource Center, 2nd floor of the UC
- Military Student Services, 138 Camp Building
Monday, October 5, 8am – Tuesday, November 24, 2020, 5pm
Project FIRE
Groups of 6 or fewer who are acquainted with each other (families, clubs, friends, coworkers, etc.) are invited to contact Eddie Wells at eddiewells@jacksonnc.org or 828.631.8040 to sign up as volunteers.
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 12:30 – 3:30pm
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 12:30 – 3:30pm
Firewood splitting
No experience is needed, but volunteer groups (no more than 10 people) must register by sending an email, calling Cullowhee United Methodist Church, officecumc@cullowheecumc.org or call 828-293-9215.
Monday, November 16, 9am – Friday, November 20, 2020, 5pm
Cullowhee garden workday
No experience is needed, but volunteers must send an email to adambigelow@jacksonnc.org to register for each volunteer workday.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Friday, November 13, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Saturday, November 14, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Monday, November 16, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Friday, November 20, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Sylva garden workday
No experience is needed, but volunteers must send an email to adambigelow@jacksonnc.org to register for each volunteer workday.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Friday, November 13, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Saturday, November 14, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Monday, November 16, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 3 – 5pm
Friday, November 20, 2020, 10am – 12pm
Panthertown trailwork day
For more details or to sign up, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev1J4HE2hTOCLIfXsxIcMD0OnQ0yrvZ2-OThW1UlkiRn0Yaw/viewform
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Saturday, November 21, 2020, 9am – 2pm
Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Saturday, November 28, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Friday, December 11, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Saturday, December 12, 2020, 10am – 2pm
Saturday, December 19, 2020, 9am – 2pm
Veterans Days of Service
Contact Amanda Hanson at ahanson@wcu.edu
Friday, November 13, 2020, 9am – 3pm
Saturday, November 14, 2020, 9am – 3pm
Smokies volunteer day
To register, email madison_ficca@partner.nps.gov
Saturday, November 21, 2020, 9am – 1pm
PPE Bag Assembly for WCU Students, Faculty, and Staff
Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 8am – 2pm
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 8am-Noon, and 1pm-5pm
Friday, January 22, 2021, 8am-Noon, and 1pm-5pm
Sign-ups: https://wcu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbVtBrxWolbN25L
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