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RELEASED: Feb. 19, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—Mick Wigal, a senior from Youngstown, Ohio, has been named January Volunteer of the Month at Centre College.
The double major in economics and anthropology/sociology recently organized several of his Beta Theta Pi fraternity brothers to play guitars and sing for the residents Charleston Health Care in Danville.
"The residents loved having the guys there," says Trina McFarland, director of service and leadership development at Centre. "They applauded after every song, and many of them thanked the guys after the performance. Another student who volunteers at Charleston Health Care weekly said that she visited the nursing home a few days after the Betas were there, and the residents were quick to tell her all about the guys' performance."
This is the second year for the project, which was conceived when Wigal, who is the Betas' philanthropy chair, tried to think of a way his fraternity could use its talents to serve the community. Several of Wigal's fraternity brothers play the guitar so the tradition began.
Betas providing the music were sophomores Patrick Hill from Bardstown, Ky., and Scott Singer from Bowling Green, Ky., and juniors, Matt Cohen from Ft. Thomas Ky., and Evan Harlow from Glasgow, Ky. Other fraternity members visited and chatted with the residents.
"I know as a fraternity we always want to get out and help make the community better," Wigal says.
Wigal has also helped for his fraternity to participate in projects with Woodlawn Children's home, the Perryville community, the Humane Society and the Salvation Army.
"If Mick organizes a project, volunteers should expect to get their hands dirty or spend time really interacting with those they're serving," McFarland says. "I know when I call Mick for help with a project, I can count on him to come through."
"Seeing everyone's smiles makes it all worth while," he says.
The volunteer award program at Centre recognizes some of the many students who provide service to the local community. Each year, around 60 percent of all Centre 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. For more information, contact McFarland at (859) 238-5479 or e-mail mcfarlnd@centre.edu.
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