On November 26, 2013, Colonia High School students attended a Community Service Fair featuring about 20 local organizations in need of volunteers. As community service is now a graduation requirement in Woodbridge Township, this fair allowed students to find volunteer opportunities that resonated with their interests and would help them gain hours towards the requirement. Because a majority of the organizations are located in Woodbridge Township, Mayor McCormac attended the fair to encourage students to get involved.
The community service requirement mandates that as of this school year, all students are required to complete 10 hours of community service per year in order to graduate. This means that current freshmen will need to accumulate 40 hours by the time they graduate in 2017. Regarding the new requirement, Mayor McCormac stated, “It is a good idea because there are so many groups in town that need help, like our food pantries and animal shelter. It opens up a whole new group of young people who can help out.”
A few of the vendors that came to the assembly were Sisters of Promise, Woodbridge Ambulance, We Feed, Angel Paws, Woodbridge Township Animal Shelter, and Senior Olympics. A popular one was Senior Olympics, which allows students to engage directly with seniors citizens. “It’s great for a 17 year old to work directly with a 70 year old. They both have a great experience,” explained Mayor McCormac.
While students in general were originally disgruntled with the prospect of mandatory community service, many reacted with a generally positive attitude towards the fair. “When I first heard about the volunteering requirement to graduate, I didn’t know how I was going to fit that into my schedule,” admitted CHS senior Kyle Tresidder. While many were first overwhelmed with the obligation, the township responded by organizing similar fairs in each of the three Woodbridge Township high schools.
“The community service fair was a nice opportunity. I was able to look into a couple of volunteering options,” continued Tresidder.
Praise for the program was consistent throughout all grade levels. CHS junior Wilmond Vano approved of the initiative. “At first I didn’t really know what I was going to do for volunteering. But at the fair, I liked how there were a bunch of different options for work in one place. There was really something for everyone.”
When asked which organization he felt students should consider, Mayor McCormac suggested the We Feed program. Although all of the organizations at the fair are in need of volunteers, We Feed, the Municipal Food Bank organization, is especially in demand during the holidays for families in need.
