OU offers civil opportunies

Being a part of the Ottawa community is something to take pride in.

Showing love for your community - Ottawa or others- can be proved through many outlets.One of the most important ways is through volunteering.

Volunteering is a way to give back to people in the community who are having hardships or don't have some of the opportunities that others do.

Volunteering is not only rewarding but can look very good on a resumé.
Ottawa University offers many opportunities for people to get involved in the Ottawa community.

GOTCHA (Get Off The Couch and Help Another) is one on campus club that helps in the community. GOTCHA members volunteer in the community at least once a month and have participated in national days of service including Make A Difference Day.

OU's newest club, ODAT (Ottawa Disaster Assistance Team) also helps in the Ottawa community and beyond.

Working in conjunction with the Red Cross, ODAT focuses on disaster relief in the community and around the country.

Sports teams also participate in Ottawa with different projects, events, and activities.

There are many students on campus who are involved in the community; however, more students could get themselves involved.

Even though Ottawa is not ‘home' to most, students can still participate and give back to the community.

The alternative break that was offered by OU over Fall Break was a great opportunity for students to get involved.

During the alternative break, students had the chance to build a house for Habitat for Humanity, watch kids at Franklin County Daycare, fill backpacks for the Back Snack program for Communities in Schools, and to lend a helping hand at Hope House.

However, only a handful of students participated in the volunteering activities.
Hopefully there is an alternative break in the works for the spring semester, and hopefully even more students will take part in it.

Studies have shown college graduates volunteer about twice as much as other members of society. If we learn nothing else in our higher academic careers, we should take away a sense of civic responsibility.

OU students have the willpower and the opportunities to make the surrounding communities a better place and to leave a mark on society.

Let's not squander it.