There are many ways to get involved with community service on Michigan State’s campus. From attending a Spartan Day of Service to joining a national organization to volunteering through your college, MSU offers a multitude of opportunities for students passionate about giving back.
Social relations and policy junior Katie Bailey is the Membership Chair of the Campus Lions Club at MSU. Originally from Quincy, Michigan, Bailey wanted to join the club’s E-board after watching her mom lead her hometown’s Lions Club.
“Growing up, I saw the impact they had on our community as well as what they were doing across the state of Michigan…so it was kind of seeing what my mom was able to do in our community, and then being able to connect myself and put myself into that role here on campus,” Bailey said.
Lions Clubs International is a global service organization with thousands of branches. The MSU chapter hosts monthly events at various organizations throughout the Greater Lansing area. One that the group frequents the most is Allison House, a home for people with disabilities. Bailey said helping this organization is important because they’re “serving a population that necessarily isn't always the first to be thought of.”
Finance junior Nate Birck is the President of the Honors College Service Club. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has been an active volunteer since high school. Birck said he felt motivated to lead this organization to continue making an impact in his local community.
The Honors College Service Club offers opportunities for its members to pursue more personal, long term volunteer projects by bringing in speakers from community partners in the area, Birck said. This way, members can give back to an organization whose mission deeply resonates with them. The club also organizes monthly group volunteer events. One particularly memorable event for Birck was the group’s trip to the South Lansing Urban Gardens.
Lauren Coin“I’ve just always felt like I've been blessed, and I felt like I’ve been called to give back to my community since I've been fortunate…so I want to always give back,” Birck said.