Ambassadors (from left to right): Mala Singh, Francisco Bucio, & Alejandra Prado
How do you typically search for local volunteer opportunities? The Richter Center sponsors three one-day service events throughout the year; two occur during the fall semester, while one occurs during the spring semester. On Saturday, April 29th, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, the Richter Center will be hosting the annual “Spring Into Service”
Volunteers Catherine and Mala learn about the effects of magnetism as they played with the “Spinner.”
Last semester, I was fortunate to participate in the fall event “Serving Fresno Day” at the Discovery Center. This location is dedicated to exposing the community to various aspects of science. Several students and I had the capacity to complete beautification
Ambassador Mala adding primer to one of the main administration buildings
projects, by painting walls and planting flowers throughout the center. Additionally, we had the opportunity to tour the building and learn more about various species, ecological aspects, and physical components of science. As a science major, it was even more fascinating gaining fundamental information about science so that I can better comprehend, or explain, this material to others around.
For the April 29th “Spring Into Service” event, volunteers still have the opportunity to participate and select the Discovery Center, if they are interested in garnering more scientific concepts. Take advantage of this spring 2017 semester in order to help remodel and attract more visitors to attend the wondrous Discovery Center.
How will you spend the remainder of the semester? What leftover service opportunities do you want your clubs/organizations to take part in?
In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 22nd, 2014 a group of faculty, staff, students, and community volunteers gathered on San Ramon avenue in front of the Science II Building at Fresno State to begin work beautifying the grounds and creating a water-wise garden, showcasing the university’s commitment to being a leader in responsible, sustainable practices in the San Joaquin Valley. The Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning hosts multiple one-day service events in the fall semester and one such event in the spring. The 2014 iteration of the Richter Center’s spring service day was called ‘Spring Into Service’ and featured new and exciting partnerships with different groups and individuals, including Associated Students Inc., Fresno State EES professor Dr. Mara Brady, and Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, Bob Boyd.
Volunteers stand in front of some of their handiwork in lot P5 on Spring into Service Day 2014! Photo Credit: Richter Center S.E.R.V.E. committee
With more than 30 individuals, the work was completed rapidly and before lunchtime, more than 800 new trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants were successfully transplanted into many of the parking lots on the east side of campus. Three other sites also featured ‘Spring Into Service’ events: Woodward Park (Fresno P.A.R.C.S.), the McKenzie Preserve (Sierra Foothill Conservancy), and the Boys and Girls Club in the El Dorado Park neighborhood west of Fresno State enjoyed the work of over a hundred volunteers in completing meaningful projects.
Volunteers dig holes for water-wise garden plants to be placed in. Photo Credit: Richter Center S.E.R.V.E. committee
What was especially exciting about the work done at Fresno State was that the project was held on the same day as the 2014 Preview Day, in which thousands of incoming Fresno State students and their families visited campus to learn more about the academic prowess of our school. However, as many walked past the volunteers planting trees in parking lots adjacent to the Smittcamp Alumni House, these people were also able to witness first-hand the culture of service that exists at Fresno State. Hopefully they are now able to realize that the more than one million hours of community service work that we as an institution completed in each of the last four academic years are not just numbers on a page; indeed, it is the work of the students, faculty, staff and administration who give so freely of their time and energies for the betterment of the greater Fresno State community, like those who labored early on a Saturday morning, that sums up to a tremendous impact in our city.
Working hard at the water-wise garden in front of the Science II building! Photo Credit: Richter Center S.E.R.V.E. committee
After a delicious lunch, courtesy of Subway Restaurant, volunteers were asked to reflect on their experiences that day. For many, this was a new experience, but having the opportunity to talk about the work that was done and why it was important was meaningful to all of the volunteers as many expressed when it was their respective turn to talk. Even more exciting than hearing what the volunteers thought of the day was hearing what they planned on doing as a result of Spring Into Service. Many said that this was one of their first service projects, but that they did not plan on making it their last and were eager to learn about ways to get involved with the Richter Center.
Join us for Spring into Service on March 22, 2014 from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM!
Fresno State volunteers help revitalize Woodward Park during last semester’s Serving Fresno Day.
With triumphant Make a Difference Day and Serving Fresno Day behind us, we at the Richter Center joyfully look forward to the next one-day service opportunity, Spring into Service Day!
Volunteers can choose from one of these awesome locations/ projects:
Planting and beautification of the group activity area at Woodward Park with Fresno PARCS
Repainting basketball courts, revitalization projects at El Dorado Park with Associated Students, Inc.
Planting trees and shrubs on our Fresno State campus.
Fresno has a lot of critics, but with some positive attitudes and a little teamwork we can change that negativity! We of this under-appreciated Central Valley city are blessed with splendid sunshine, vibrant urban developments, rich and abundant fields of agriculture, and so much more. Everything we could ever need is right here. Most of us don’t have to worry about our next meal or finding shelter from day to day. We have a successful university full of bright minds just waiting to change the world. Fresno is home to amazing, dedicated, down-to-earth people, and we shouldn’t doubt its potential for a second. All it takes to recognize its beauty is a little optimism. I can assure you that community service is one of the best ways to guarantee this much-needed positive outlook.
Granted, there’s always room for improvement, and that’s just what Spring into Service is all about! The general consensus from our previous one-day service events was that although it was early on a Saturday morning, each and every one of us left our service project with feelings of accomplishment and camaraderie. We each became excited to watch our web of outreach unfold! Our goal at the Richter Center is to regenerate these positive vibes on March 22nd.
Let’s work together to spread an awesome message about our community! Let’s revitalize Fresno! Spring into Service Day will be a springboard for the Spring into Service Lifestyle: where we’ll work every day to make our home even better!
The Richter Center Student Leaders 
