SFSC Gives Back to its Tri-County Region

South Florida State College (SFSC) is establishing a new volunteer initiative called SFSC Gives Back. SFSC employees will step off our four campus locations as a TEAM because Together Everyone Achieves More, and give back to the communities we live and work in through service.

As an educational institution, we can make a difference through academics and training, but we can also make a positive impact in our communities by volunteering for those in need. Giving back to the community involves bringing people together and working toward a single cause by providing help or financial assistance, or performing other acts of kindness.

Over this academic year, we will rally our SFSC TEAM for causes that create positive impacts in our communities. SFSC Gives Back will focus on offering our time and talents to the community. Our SFSC TEAM is encouraged to participate in any or all of the volunteer opportunities; there are a variety of options that allow for a diverse group of faculty and staff with many different skill sets, capabilities, and interests to get involved.

Think of the positive impact this can have on our communities.
Think of the positive impact it can have for SFSC as we work together for a positive cause and get to know others throughout our offices and departments.
Think of the positive impact it can have on an individual personally.
Statistics show that people who volunteer regularly are healthier, both physically and mentally, have a sense of purpose, and contribute to the community.

SFSC will show our tri-county communities how great this SFSC TEAM is on campus and off.

SCHEDULED VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Habitat For Humanity

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 – Highlands County (DeSoto County date coming soon!)
• Volunteer Opportunities:
  • Build a Home: Outdoor activity, active and physical, using tools and working with building supplies
  • ReStore: Indoor activity, light to moderate physical activity, working in the retail store in a variety of volunteer duties (pricing, inventorying, cashier, phones)
• Sign-up form: SFSC Gives Back – Habitat for Humanity

Sebring Fall-O-Ween on the Circle

• Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 – Highlands County
  • Assist in handing out candy and/or playing a fun kids game, while promoting South Florida State College
• Contact Sofia Ochoa to sign up to volunteer and gather more details: sofia.ochoa@southflorida.edu

Serve the Red, White, and Blue (a Veteran) – November 2024

• Date: TBD – Highlands County
• More details to be announced

Ridge Area Arc – Field Day

• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 – Highlands County
• Volunteer Opportunities
  • Setup/Clean up: Assist the Ridge Area Arc staff with setting up the activity for their consumers to enjoy, setup and maintain the hydration station, and/or assist the Ridge Area Arc staff with cleaning up the activity
    • Limited (little to no) interaction with the consumers, light to moderate activity and skills needed
  • Field Day Activity: Assist the Ridge Area Arc staff with implementing the scheduled field day activity (rain contingency in place)
    • Enjoy interaction with the consumers, moderate activity and skills needed; the Ridge Area Arc staff will be facilitating the activity and students
    • SFSC volunteers will be assisting and praising the consumers
    • If you are interested in the Field Day Activity, but are not as actively able or mobile, a cheerleading squad is welcome
  • Further Ridge Area Arc details and information will be shared with registered volunteers, sharing hints and tips for you and your interaction with their consumers so you are comfortable and enjoy your volunteer service benefiting the consumer
• Sign up form: SFSC Gives Back – Ridge Area Arc

National Read Across America Day

• March 3, 2025 – Highlands County (DeSoto County date coming soon!)
• Read a book to an elementary school class
• Indoor activity, light physical activity, seated, and reading a book to 2-3 classes
• More details coming soon

Hands for the Homeless – April 2025

• April 9 and 10, 2025 – Highlands County
• Volunteer Opportunities (both dates available but not required):
  •  April 9:
    • Meal Preparation: indoor activity; cooking food and packaging food
    • Retail Store: indoor activity; light to moderate physical activity, working in the retail store in a variety of volunteer duties
  • April 10:
    • Meal Service: moderate physical activity packaging and serving meals and contact with the individuals Hands for Homeless serves
    • Retail Store: Indoor activity, light to moderate physical activity, working in the retail store in a variety of volunteer duties
• Sign up form: SFSC Gives Back – Hands for Homeless

Catholic Charities – DeSoto County

• More details to be announced

• Oct. 22, Oct. 24, Oct. 25, Oct. 29, and Oct. 30
• 9-11 a.m.
• Food Pantry: Assist the Hardee Help Center with the stocking and restocking of the food pantry, organizing the food pantry and shed, and cleaning around the pantry so the consumers have a clean, safe, space to shop.
  • Light to moderate activity except the shed duty, which includes moderate to heavy activity
  • Inside and outside duties
• Sign up at SFSC Gives Back – Hardee Help Center.xlsx
• You may also contact Marsha Cowles, Hardee Campus office manager, directly at ext. 7062

SFSC encourages its employees to be part of the SFSC TEAM and join one or all of these volunteer opportunities as we make a positive impact on our communities beyond higher education by taking our TEAM off campus to give back. For more information about SFSC Gives Back, please contact Anastasia Fuchser at ext. 7183.