Volunteers were treated like royalty at the third annual Community Service Fair, hosted by the UB School of Management this past Wednesday.
"Our MBA students are really involved in the community, and they started this Community Service Fair," said Cynthia Shore, assistant dean of corporate and community relations. "They were just such an inspiration to the school."
After arriving at Alfiero Center in limousines, volunteers were greeted by members of Student Association clubs who served fine chocolates on trays and handed out red carnations and sparkling grapefruit juice in champagne glasses. Representatives were also serenaded by a live performance by a classical guitarist throughout the event and received a gift bag that contained candy bars from Fowler's Chocolate, a UB drawstring backpack and pens.
The lavish greeting reflected this year's theme, "Serving Those Who Serve Others."
"All they do everyday...is help people. We wanted to do something for them," Shore said.
The event provided a chance for students to learn about community service and volunteer opportunities. According to the representatives, local organizations are constantly looking for UB students to serve as role models and participate in the surrounding community.
"The Community Service Fair is a wonderful opportunity to network with other organizations and a chance for students to become familiar with our organization," said Lisa Napier, volunteer manager of Western New York Public Broadcasting Association. "We survive on volunteer support. The local community service organizations are in need of UB volunteers."
Erica Schmidt, a representative from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Buffalo, also thought the event was successful in meeting its purpose.
"It increases awareness in community organizations that individuals would not even know they existed," Schmidt said.
Raven Dorman, a volunteer recruiter for the Girl Scout Council of Buffalo and Erie County, agrees that UB students have a pivotal role in helping to improve their adopted community in Buffalo.
"We want UB students to share their specialty with the girls," Dorman said. "This is a wonderful event, very well-planned out, and it's nice to see the students get involved."
Student volunteers were honored at a luncheon that preceded the fair. According to Shore, Beta Alpha Psi, UB's accounting fraternity, was awarded with the Community Leadership Award by the Dean of the School of Management.
"They got it because they're unbelievably involved in the community," Shore said. "They're just an inspiration to everybody."
Beta Alpha Psi helped low-income families prepare their tax returns last semester.
According to Shore, the turnout was higher than in past years, with about 100 students total in attendance.
It was announced that Big Brother Big Sister of Buffalo will be receiving the proceeds of this year's Graduate Management Association (GMA) Date Auction, which is held every February. Last year, the organization that won the prize was awarded about $3,200, and Shore said she expects the reward to be higher this year.
Alicia Laible, a representative from the Family Justice Center of Erie County, believes it is important for UB students to get involved in a cause.
"One of the greatest things you can give someone is the gift of time, and volunteering even once a week can make a difference in someone's life," she said.
The Office of Corporate and Community Relations, in conjunction with the GMA, invited representatives from 21 local organizations to the event. Guests were chosen based on a diversity of causes, from those who give aid to low-income families to animal rights, Shore said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
