Community service has been a passion of mine since I was young. My family and the people I know have instilled in me the importance to giving back to others. Living in a small town like Penn Yan, makes everyone like family. We need to support one another.
Each year there are many opportunities for people to lend a hand and get involved in our local communities. One of my favorite volunteer projects is Celebrate Service…Celebrate Yates.
This day of service is co-hosted by the Yates County Chamber of Commerce and Keuka College and is supported by many others. Now in its 13th year, 248 people (including local community members, as well as Keuka College students, faculty, and staff members) volunteered at 20 sites this month.
Volunteers were sent all over Yates County including the towns of Benton, Branchport, Dresden, Dundee, Himrod, Keuka Park, Middlesex, and Penn Yan to help out. The day was a great success because of everyone’s commitment to help one another. It is a fun and worthwhile project and I recommend more people get involved in it. I am already looking forward to next year’s event which is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2011.
It is important to encourage more people to help out with community service oriented projects like Celebrate Service…Celebrate Yates. The benefits that come along with helping, not only for the community but also for the individuals involved are amazing. Community service really makes a difference in people’s lives….please make an effort to get involved. You won’t regret it!
Allie Waye-Walker
Keuka College
