RELEASED: Oct. 17, 2002

DANVILLE, KY—Volunteering can be as fulfilling for the volunteer as it is to the people or organization receiving the service.

Mitch Cartwright, a junior from Shelbyville, Tenn., has been named Centre's October Volunteer of the Month. His dedication to the Housing Authority, a newly established after-school program, and the relationship with the children he assists earned him the honor.

Cartwright, a member of Centre's service-based work-study program Bonner Leaders, goes beyond the expectations of the program. While the group meets officially every other week, Cartwright volunteers four afternoons per week at the after-school program.

At the Housing Authority, Cartwright tutors, plans activities, and provides support to children. According to Centre's director of volunteer service and Bonner Leaders supervisor Trina McFarland, "Mitch is dedicated to the program and relates well to each and every child. In a very short time, he has built strong connections with the children. They're already very attached to him."

The connection is just as strong for Cartwright.

"They remind me to never lose that childhood innocence and compassion, and that sense of mystery and desire to experience life through hopes and dreams and the imagination," he said.

For Cartwright, volunteering at the Housing Authority has been one of the most fulfilling activities in his life. "Some days, it's the highlight of my day," he said. "It truly is a great feeling to see the smiles on the faces of the kids when they get a problem correct or when they improve their grades on math quizzes and spelling tests."

Cartwright also sees his volunteer work as a citizen's obligation.

"To me, volunteering is a way of giving back to a community that provides so much, but more than that it is what we are here on earth for—to share ourselves with others. Through involvement with different groups of people love, caring, trust, interest, curiosity and intelligence are fostered and experienced."

Cartwright, son of Tammie Cartwright, attended Shelby Central High School in Shelbyville, Tenn.

The volunteer award program recognizes some of the many students who provide service to the local community. Each year, around 60 percent of all Centre College students become community volunteers. The college encourages volunteer service with a community service day each year as part of the orientation for first-year students.

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