OServes starting point for community involvement for students

During the most recent O-Week, the King’s Sophs team continued the King’s tradition of giving back to the community, undertaking several initiatives as part of OServes.

Replacing the former Shinerama campaign, OServes takes place annually on the Saturday of OWeek. This year’s OServes, which occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2020, saw 90 King’s students volunteer.

They held a car wash, raising $451 for the Atlohsa Family Healing Services; they wrote 106 letters to the residents of Seniors Village of Glendale Crossing long-term care home, and they packed food packs with the King’s Campus Ministry that were distributed at the St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre.

“OServes is an extremely beneficial day for all those involved. Upper-year Sophs can still learn about organizations within our community as those who we partner with change every year. First-year students can get their first experience volunteering in the London community if they are not from the city. I have enjoyed this part of the orientation program every year as I am provided with more opportunity to be involved in my community and volunteer in my own time after being introduced,” says Kendra Motz, Programming Assistant and member of the King’s Head Soph Team.

OServes helps new and first-year students to connect with London community while providing service to local agencies and projects. Over the years, there has been a shift away from exclusively fundraising and towards service to the community.

  “For many students, the idea of learning more about a service agency and pitching in to help out is more meaningful than simply collecting donations,” says Doreen Vautour, Associate Dean of Students.