Bucks County Community College partnered with United Way of Bucks County last Friday, October 3, to host Volunteer Bucks, a county-wide Day of Caring. Over 100 students, faculty, and staff from BCCC, along with a few local business members, volunteered at nine nonprofits throughout Bucks County.
This was the second year for Volunteer Bucks. The event maintained the same number of service sites as last year, but increased its volunteer participation by over 27%. Nonprofits that hosted volunteers included Tyler State Park, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Adoptions from the Heart and Bristol Township Senior Center, among others.
“Being able to offer a college-wide day of service has been great,” said Matt Cipriano, director of student life programs at BCCC. “We have a nice mix of students and employees, and everyone was able to choose where they wanted to volunteer to make it both beneficial and enjoyable.” Cipriano spent his day volunteering with a group of BCCC staff to make holiday cards for the elderly.
Many volunteers spent time cutting out large paper hearts for Adoptions From The Heart, stationed at BCCC Lower Bucks Campus. “This day of service really helps us,” explained AFTH Marketing Associate Jessica Albert. “November is National Adoption Month, and we have 14 stores signed up to sell paper hearts for donations. All proceeds benefit our Birth Mother Fund, which helps new mothers or pregnant women find stability. By having volunteers preparing the hearts, it saves time and ensures we’re prepared for November.” Albert worked with volunteers during Volunteer Bucks 2013 as well.
In addition to BCCC students and staff, volunteers also participated from local businesses including Krames Staywell, Fedex and Brooks Instrument.
To see more about Volunteer Bucks, check out our Facebook album!
About the contributor: Katie Pilot is the Marketing Associate at the United Way of Bucks County. Originally from New Hampshire, she is a recent graduate of Villanova University. She enjoyed her past four years in the suburbs of Philadelphia so much that she happily decided to stay in the area following her May 2014 graduation.