A group of Randolph-Macon College freshmen spent a recent Saturday working together to help others less fortunate. In the Dollar Tree Room in Brock Commons, about 35 students prepared meals and decorated brown bags for disadvantaged residents living in three Ashland motels. Students then delivered 70 meals to the residents.

A Longstanding Commitment
The event was a way to introduce the newest Yellow Jackets to RMC’s longstanding commitment to helping others. Students regularly engage in community service, giving back to others with their time, energy and talent.

The SERVE (Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences) program is just one way that students can help others. SERVE provides students with opportunities for volunteerism, service-learning, and leadership development as they explore the root causes and contexts of social needs through connections with the greater community.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The lunch-delivery project was the brainchild of Jayme Watkins, director of Student Life, who worked with RMC Chaplain Kendra Grimes in organizing the event.

“The students volunteered for the project after hearing about it from their Orientation Captains during Welcome Week,” explains Watkins, who oversees the SERVE program and student organizations, and advises the Service Fellows, Inter-Fraternity Council, and College Panhellenic Council. “These brand-new Yellow Jackets kicked off their freshman year through this unique volunteer experience. It was a great way for them to see up-close how SERVE works—and to see how their generosity directly affects the Ashland community.”

When people in poverty lose housing, motels are often their only choice, explains Grimes.

“Rates are daily or weekly with no contract, but in the end are quite expensive,” she says.  “Motels offer shelter, a place to sleep, and a bathroom but not a kitchen—so people who are struggling financially end up paying more for convenience foods that are often less healthful. The meals we packed include a meat and cheese sandwich on wheat bread, a piece of fresh fruit, and a granola bar. Our hope was to provide food that is healthful and delicious, easing the burden and letting our neighbors know that people care about them.”

Positive Words, Community Connections
Katie Runyon ’21 is an archaeology major and Latin minor. The SERVE project took place on her third day on campus.

“I didn’t know a single person,” she says. “I thought, ‘What better way to feel good about my whole life changing than to make friends while helping the community?’ Each of us decorated one or two brown bags. On each bag, we wrote some positive words to the people who would receive them. I love the feeling that giving back to the community creates.”

Connor Peak ’21, a chemistry major and education minor, participated in the event because he wanted to help those in need.

“I decorated bags, assembled meals, and helped organize the bags for delivery,” says Peak. “Reaching out to the local community and helping those who may be unable to afford basic necessities was fulfilling.”

Grimes says, “Our freshman class is clearly very service- and community-minded. The students’ warmth and creativity in preparing and delivering meals probably meant as much as the food itself to those who received a bag.”

Giving Back
In 2016-17, RMC students collectively amassed more than 17,000 volunteer hours and donated $47,075.00 to various causes. Students in Fraternity and Sorority Life contributed more than 10,049 hours of collective service to the community and donated $27,682.90 to various organizations and philanthropies. In addition, $14,000 was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society from the annual Relay for Life.

Over 300 students participated RMC’s second Big Event, a day of service to give thanks to the Ashland community. The Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences (SERVE) program, in the Office of Student Life, is an integral part of Randolph-Macon College.