Alert

APRIL 7

COVID Information

Please visit the link below for the latest information about the coronavirus outbreak.

LVC Students Serve in Puerto Rico

Dutchmen Still Serve

At a time when safety prevents us from physically serving alongside others, there are still plenty of ways for Dutchmen to make a difference. As you review the suggestions below, please remember the following:

  • This list is certainly not all-inclusive. If you have ideas to add, please email them to Jen Liedtka at liedtka@lvc.edu.
  • In the spirit of caution, please wash your hands before engaging in any activities that involve touching materials used by others. All suggested projects have been deemed safe by the related organizations.
  • Email pictures of yourself serving in these (and any other) ways to Jen at liedtka@lvc.edu so that we may share your Dutchmen Serve spirit! You may also post your pictures directly to social media with #DutchmenServe.
  • As always, LVC students should be sure to report service hours on MyLVC (using the “Report Service Hours” link found in the “My Info for Students” section).

Ways to Still Serve

Provide comfort to a child who has been abused – Fleece blanket making.

LVC makes and donates no-sew fleece blankets to the Lebanon office of the UPMC Pinnacle Children’s Resource Center (CRC). It is the mission of the CRC to reduce the trauma and aftermath of abuse for children and their families. After initial appointments, children are given the opportunity to choose a blanket to take home to provide them with ongoing comfort.

  • Follow these instructions.
  • Fleece may be ordered on-line through Amazon, etc. (at your cost).
  • Bring blankets to Frederic K. Miller Chapel lobby when we return to campus.

Care for older adults—Calls, food delivery, yard work and more.

Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges faced by older adults, especially now. Consider offering care and support in the following ways:

  • Connect with your older relatives, neighbors, etc.
    • Make a phone call (or connect via Skype, FaceTime, etc.). It’s that simple. Do so regularly, and enjoy the chance to chat.
    • Deliver food. Pick up groceries or even make a meal. Arrange a time to drop items off on the recipient’s porch.
    • Help with yard work.
  • Connect with older adults at care facilities and in senior communities.
    • Make cards. Since access to care facilities and communities of older adults is currently limited, you will need to mail your cards. Contact organizations near you for guidance on doing so.

Donate food to a local pantry.

If you live locally, please visit The Caring Cupboard to find items needed and drop off times. If you do not live locally, please contact your local food pantry or United Way for suggestions.

Support literacy and learning—Get creative as you video stories and lessons.

During these days, when children are stuck at home, create a fun and educational video to help them pass the time. Include reading a book, leading an interactive lesson, or activity. Be creative!

Beautify your community—Trash clean-up and sidewalk inspiration.

With the warm weather (nearly) upon us, get outside and:

  • Go for a walk and pick up some trash along the way.
  • Use sidewalk chalk to decorate your neighborhood walkways with positive messages.

Support the safe delivery of babies in underdeveloped countries.

The Mission Central HUB in Cleona assembles kits for underdeveloped countries to help ensure the safe delivery of babies. Each kit contains a string to tie the umbilical cord. To assist:

  • Cut string/light twine into 12-inch lengths.
  • Loosely wrap three strands together. Bring your finished work to the Miller Chapel lobby when we return to campus.

Support women recently diagnosed with breast cancer—Note Writing.

Through the organization, Girls Love Mail, write a note of encouragement and hope to a recently diagnosed woman. Follow these instructions. Instead of mailing your notes directly to the organization, mail them to:

Jen Liedtka Service and Volunteerism Coordinator
Lebanon Valley College
101 N College Ave.
Annville PA 17003

Notes will be collected through May 9 and then mailed to the organization.

Card Making—Encourage service agencies, law enforcement, emergency workers, and medical staff.

All of these people are working extra-hard during this time. Send notes of encouragement to them. If you know someone personally in these roles, give them a call or send them a text. If you are looking for the contact information for an organization with which you usually serve while at LVC, check out our Agency List.

Design T-shirts for Habitat for Humanity.

Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity is looking for a t-shirt design for three different groups:

  • Construction Volunteers
  • ReStore Volunteers
  • Habitat Homebuyers.

If you’d like to take on this exciting opportunity, email Jen Liedtka for more details.

Financially support your favorite non-profit organizations.

Many organizations that meet important needs in our communities will suffer financially as a result of COVID-19. Fundraising events are being canceled while needs are simultaneously increasing. Your financial donation matters more than ever for many of these groups. At a loss for where to give?

  • Check out our Agency List of organizations. 
  • Give to the Lebanon County Community Support Fund, which supports our most vulnerable friends and neighbors as we brace for the potential impact of COVID-19. For more information, please visit the United Way of Lebanon County.

Protect the Environment

Looking for ways to protect our environment? Connect with others who share a similar passion by taking part in a Greenpeace Action Call. Even during this time of social distancing, discover ways that you can make a difference through this global organization.

Preparing for a Life of Service to Others 

At Lebanon Valley College, we are committed to service, sustainability, and civic engagement. We embrace intentionally the differences between human beings. These institutional values serve as foundational tenants for the Community Service and Volunteerism program at LVC. By providing a wide variety of hands-on service, unique experiential learning, and awareness-raising opportunities, the Office of Community Service and Volunteerism strives to prepare students for a life of informed and engaged citizenship both locally and around the globe. Each year, LVC students report more than 22,000 hours of service.

LVC Students helping at a community event at Arnold Sports Center

Local and Campus Opportunities

Each week, the Office of Service and Volunteerism coordinates a host of local and campus service initiatives, which are open to all LVC students. Through our weekly Dutchmen Serve emails, the online campus calendar, Redbook and our Facebook page students are made aware of these happenings which take place both on and off-campus, as well as other service-related speaker sessions and learning opportunities. Students sign-up to participate using Redbook or by emailing liedtka@lvc.edu.

Peru-Trip-LVC-Community-Service

At least two service trips are planned each academic year with most trips fulfilling one Immersive Experience requirement. Trips vary from year to year so that students may have the opportunity to engage in both domestic and international experiences that focus on different areas of service and learning.

LVC Service Focused Student Organizations

Service-Focused Student Organizations

Students have the opportunity to join a variety of clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities that focus primarily on service. Some of these groups include: • Alpha Phi Omega • Cause for Paws • Colleges Against Cancer • Gamma Sigma Sigma • Habitat for Humanity • Mini Thon • Servants of Christ • Students Helping Seniors. Beyond this list, all of our athletic teams, along with many other organizations, participate in a wide variety of community service endeavors, as well. 

LVC Students learning about the importance of community and service to others

This one-credit class was introduced in Spring 2019 and is taught by the Coordinator of Service and Volunteerism. By participating in a once-weekly class meeting, attending speaker sessions and engaging in a variety of service in the local community, students earn not only one credit but also fulfill one Immersive Experience requirement.

2018-2019 AICUP recipient Brittany Schmidt '21

Individual Service Initiatives

Based on their interests and schedules, students may coordinate their own service efforts by accessing our list of local community agencies and opportunities. Whether they are passionate about serving with seniors or children, addressing issues of food and housing insecurity, preserving the environment, helping animals…you name it…there’s a way for everyone to make a difference. To learn more about these and other opportunities, stop by the Office of Community Service and Volunteerism on the main level of Miller Chapel and chat with our Coordinator, Jen Liedtka, while you enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

I am passionate about serving because I understand that as long as I'm able to do so, I have a responsibility to serve those who need it.

AICUP Good Citizen Scholarship Recipient

Dayshalee Rosario Cruz '20