Volunteer opportunities to be showcased in October

Students will get a chance to get involved in the Sarasota community by participating in a wide range of volunteer events in October.
The New College Cares events to be held every Saturday in October are being organized by the Office of Student Activities and Campus Engagement, called “SA[U]CE,” said Sarah Lapton, New College’s AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer coordinator.
Lapton said volunteering is a positive experience. “For the students, it can be a break from school, to think about something else in a positive way,” she said. “Also, students don’t get off campus very much, they don’t get to see what Sarasota really has to offer. So when they go and volunteer, they get to meet the community members and see what the need really is in the community. It brightens their perspective.”
Activities will include work at a community garden, Habitat for Humanity, a community festival and a local homeless coalition. “There’s definitely a huge need in Sarasota, with food insecurity and housing … that’s what the main volunteer activities are based on,” Lapton explained.
The first event will bring New College students to the Orange Blossom Community Garden for some hands-on work. “We’re partnering with the Ringling College of Art and Design; they do this the first Saturday of every month.” Transportation to and from every event in October will be provided.
The chance to do volunteer work won’t stop after October. The SA[u]CE office plans to have at least two opportunities every month.
The New College Cares schedule:
Oct. 5: Garden Days!
NCF is collaborating with Ringling College to volunteer at Orange Blossom Community Garden. We have to be there by 9:30 a.m. to noon. Transportation will be available if needed, meet at Sudakoff Conference Center at 9:15 a.m. Coffee and Donuts!
Sign up here.
Oct. 12: Habitat for Humanity Build Day!
We will build with Habitat from 7:30 a.m. to noon. May be a little early, but is a blast! Habitat for Humanity will send me a sign up link later, if interested. Transportation will be available too.
Sign up here.
Oct. 19: Big Mama’s Collard Green Festival!
This is our larger volunteer opportunity event. Newtown does this event to raise money for their farmer’s market. There will be food and a shirt provided! The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be transportation if needed, meet at Sudakoff Conference Center at 9:30 a.m.
Sign up here.
Oct. 26: Make a Difference Day!
We will be going to Streets of Paradise to help them with anything they need from us that day. Streets of Paradise is a grassroots organization that helps people on the streets move into homes and to provides meals. There will be transportation if needed. Volunteers will meet at Sudakoff Conference Center at 3 p.m.
Sign up here. 
— Jim DeLa is digital communications coordinator at New College of Florida.