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Picture the Change Photos: Community Service Fair

29 Jan
This student made a brave pledge at the Community Service Opportunities Fair on January 23, 2013.

This student made a brave pledge at the Community Service Opportunities Fair on January 23, 2013.

Check out the latest photos added to the ongoing Picture the Change campaign taken at the Community Service Opportunities Fair last week.  These participants made a promise to make a positive impact on the world around them.  We are so proud!

If you made a pledge, we encourage you to find your photo and share it with your friends and family to encourage them to make their own pledge.

Way to go, Fresno State!

-The Ambassadors

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Playing Santa

13 Dec
Students volunteer at the Bulldog Pantry, a student-run food pantry that benefits the Fresno community.

Students volunteer at the Bulldog Pantry, a student-run food pantry that benefits the Fresno community.

One of our beloved community service partners is sponsoring a toy drive this holiday season.  You may not have cheeks likes roses, a nose like a cherry or a beard on your chin as white as the snow, but this is your chance to give a gift that will be as joyous for a child living in the Fresno State area as a visit from the Jolly Old Elf himself!  Now through December 21st, the Bulldog Pantry will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys.  Join the Ambassadors, who recently donated 10 toys to our friends at the Pantry, in spreading goodwill and holiday cheer.

Donations can be taken to the Fresno State ASI office in USU Room 317 or at the Bulldog Pantry.  Have a wonderful holiday season!

-Ambassador Daniel

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Another Day Without Shoes

9 Apr

Go barefoot on April 10th to spread awareness. Photo credit: http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/

Tomorrow is April 10th and if you can’t stand the sight of people’s bare feet, you might want to stay inside for the day. You see, tomorrow is TOMS’ annual One Day Without Shoes event. For the 5th successive year, hundreds of thousands of people around the globe will ditch their shoes and go about life barefoot. If you happen to be around town, and especially if you happen to be on a college campus, you will likely see some of these individuals who are willing to forgo their Nikes, UGGs, Vans and Converse for 24 hours.

Now that you’ve been warned about the potential glimpses of bare feet you might see tomorrow, you may be wondering why on earth people would want to go without shoes in the middle of April? Well, here’s the reason: because millions of people don’t even get to choose whether they wear shoes or not! Millions of children all over the world don’t own any shoes at all, and thus have no choice but to walk barefoot over disease ridden, debris filled, and parasite infested ground every day. In fact, according to the One Day Without Shoes website, “4,000,000 people have Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring soil-based disease. 740,000,000 people are affected by hookworm which can cause intestinal pain, weakness and cognitive impairment.” And in just one case study done in the Philippines 30,000 people were discovered living on one landfill where their feet are constantly exposed to broken glass, debris and syringes.

How does a bunch of people who do have shoes leaving them in their closets for a day help people who don’t have any shoes? To be perfectly honest, it doesn’t. Not directly at least. What it does do, however, is generate conversation. Conversation about a problem in the world which can, in turn, inspire action. That is the goal of One Day Without Shoes, inspire people to act and make the world a better place. So, tomorrow, whether you choose to go without shoes or not, spend some time reflecting on some problem in the world, and think about what you can do to help solve it.

For more information about One Day Without Shoes check out www.onedaywithoutshoes.com

For more information about TOMS Shoes go to www.toms.com

–Ambassador Ryan

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Sudan: Why Should I Care?

19 Mar

When I recently began an advocacy campaign for the March 5th Camp Darfur event with my fellow Ambassadors, I really did not know what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that it was an issue that needed to be brought out into the open and that I wanted to take part in it. As I started to research and get more involved in this action against genocide, I realized how close to home it was for me.

I grew up hearing how my parents had survived the Vietnam War, but I had never connected the dots that the Hmong, who were hunted and killed due to their involvement with the CIA, were victims of genocide. From this newfound knowledge, I felt more sensitive towards the cause to bring awareness to the situation in Darfur, but more so, on how I can make a difference in the lives of the Darfurians.

At the Ambassador's advocacy table at the Camp Darfur event, Ambassador Song makes her pledge to help the people of Sudan.

With the help of 1-800-GENOCIDE, I was able to do just that. I began the phone call inquiring about talking points I could use while talking with my Legislator, but I learned much more. To my surprise, I was informed that there was an Act being introduced later that week, March 8th, to Congress. This meant that I could instruct my elected official to pass and support this Act. I could not have asked for better timing. This Act, the Sudan Peace Security and Accountability Act of 2012, will help stop the injustice happening in Sudan and much more. More information can be found here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-4169.

With this newfound knowledge, I have had the privilege of not only letting my Legislator know my thoughts about genocide and Darfur, but to also ask for their support on this Act.

Now I challenge YOU to do the same.  What better time to stand for a cause than now?  It is only ONE phone call away!  Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today.

-Ambassador Song

P.S. Check out the Pledges made by other Fresno State students at the Camp Darfur event here.

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Embrace Service with Love!

13 Feb

The love is in the air! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again; the time when a heart-shaped box of chocolates and a dozen roses will guarantee a smile from that pretty girl you like.  It’s a fact that Cupid’s arrows have been longed for by people all across the globe, and for thousands of years, but is this the only way to find or express love?

Share the love by donating blood! Fresno State blood drive February 14 - 16, 2012.

Nope!  That’s where your community involvement comes in!  There’s no bigger sign of love than helping others around you and making them feel special, too.  Plenty of organizations across the United States, and even in the Fresno area, are planning some fun Valentine’s Day-themed service projects.  This month, a group of Fresno State students made Valentine’s Day packages that they delivered to children in the Valley.  Or, you can donate a pint of blood to save up to three lives!  This week, the Central California Blood Center will be on campus with blood mobiles at 4 different locations.  It only takes a small amount of initiative, but the appreciation and love felt by those being helped will last for a long time.  Take some time with your valentine to help others in a way that really makes you proud.

And for all the single guys out there: chicks dig service-learners!

-Ambassador German

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Kick Off the Year with Service!

23 Jan

Welcome back for another great semester at Fresno State!  While you’re all getting back into the rhythm of college life, why not choose to help make a difference in your community as well?  Join us this upcoming Wednesday, January 25 from 10 am-1 pm at the Satellite Student Union for the Community Service Opportunities Fair.  We will be hosting over 50 agencies that you can get involved with, including American Red Cross Central Valley, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and Yosemite National Park, just to name a few.  If you want to find exciting ways to help the people, animals, or community around you, this event is exactly what you’re looking for.  The opportunities are endless!

Also, be sure to check out the Richter Center Ambassadors booth!  We will be continuing our “Picture the Change” campaign at this event, and we want you to help us by pledging.  This campaign began in 2009, inspiring Fresno State students to develop a vision of continued community service in their future through personal pledges.  Learn more about “Picture the Change” here.  The ambassadors will be present to answer any questions about the campaign and about their personal service experiences.  Make sure you pledge to learn more about how you can win a lunch for two with the Richter Center Ambassadors!  Hope to see you all there!

Check out this video from last year’s spring volunteer fair for an example of what you can expect!

-Ambassador German

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Can’t Wait to Make a Difference!

20 Oct

Ambassadors Mika and Daniel take a short break from cuttin' trails at last year's Make a Difference Day with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy.

Interested in making a difference?  Love the great outdoors, and making it more accessible to other enthusiasts? Do you hold a soft spot in your heart for that favorite play area from your childhood, and want to help restore a kid-favorite spot, known valley wide?  If you answered yes to any of the above, the Richter Center Ambassadors have a solution for you!  Make-A-Difference Day, one of the highlights of the volunteering calendar for Fresno State is this weekend, and this community service advocate and supporter will be building trails with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy at the Mckenzie Preserve in the foothills.  It’s sure to be a good time!  With any luck, I will see you bright and early Saturday morn, and we can share a few hours building trails for the enjoyment of all.  Or maybe you’ll decide to lend a hand at Rotary Storyland/Playland – either way, this is sure to be one of the best volunteering experiences of the year.  Don’t miss out!

–Ambassador Daniel

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Serving in My Field with MESA

22 Feb

As an engineering student, its was always difficult for me  to find service opportunities that related to my major – until I started volunteering with MESA.  MESA (which stands for Math, Engineering,  Science Achievement) is a K-12 program that prepares students for higher education in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). The program is structured to encourage students to  learn about math, engineering and science concepts in novel ways.

First established more than 40 years ago,  MESA has centers throughout California, and 8 other states.The MESA Program at CSU Fresno has been very active in the valley,  serving students for more than 30 years.  For more information on this program, or to  find out when you can volunteer, contact Kirstin McCoy or Louie Lopez.

Volunteering with MESA can place you in any number of capacities – as a coach at the middle school you attended years ago, a judge during a catapult competition, or as an instructor during a Saturday workshop on prosthetics. Whether you’re a college student unsure of your future career, or a professional who has been working in a STEM discipline for years, MESA would  love your help. I, for one, am looking forward to volunteering with you.

-Ambassador Chris

Hot Off the Presses

27 Sep

Hey Folks!  The newest edition of The Epicenter – the Richter Center’s twice-a-month e-newsletter, chock-full of volunteer opportunities and other service-related news is out.  You can download a pdf of the edition at the link below.  If you’re interested in subscribing to The Epicenter visit the Richter Center’s website for subscription instructions.

Enjoy!

The Epicenter 9-27-10

Fresno State Students, Faculty, and Staff Recognized for Commitment to Service

6 May

Marla Hartman, American Humanics Spirit of Service Award winner, with President John D. Welty (left) and Dr. Matthew Jendian

Last night, May 5, 2010 Fresno State President, John D. Welty, hosted the annual Service Recognition Reception, honoring the spirity of community and those involved in community engagement and service-learning at the university.  This event is one way that the university officially recognizes the thousands of Fresno State students, faculty, and staff who provide service to their community.

Graduates from the American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program, student participants in the Radin Community Service Scholarship Program and the Service Scholars Grant program, service-learning faculty, and the Richter Center Ambassadors were all acknowledged for their service efforts in the 2009-10 academic year.

In addition to the group recognition, the following special awards were made:

2009-2010 Spirit of Service AWARDS - Recognizing exemplary commitment to community engagement

  • University Student Volunteer of the Year - CELESTE PILEGARD
  • Community Service Scholarship Program - SUE VANG
  • Scholars Service Grant Program - ESPERANZA NAVARRO
  • American Humanics Program - MARLA HARTMAN
  • Faculty Member - BETSY HAYS, Assistant Professor of Mass Communications & Journalism
  • Staff Member - LANNY LARSON, University Communications
  • Special Recognition - SMITTCAMP FAMILY HONORS COLLEGE
  • Community Partner - CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION

To view a list of all of the recognized students, download the reception program.  You can also see the remarks made by President Welty and Richter Center director, Chris Fiorentino, by clicking on the links below.

2010 Service Recognition Reception Program

2010 Service Reception remarks by President Welty

Remarks by Chris Fiorentino recognizing President Welty’s Service

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