Collegians pay it forward
Mark Sterkel Odessa American
University of Minnesota student Kyle Patch, 18, of Brookfield, Wis., cleans and straightens the shelves Wednesday at the Catholic Charities Thrift Store in Odessa. Patch was one of about 38 students in the nonprofit organization Students Today Leaders Forever that were participating in the Pay It Forward Tour during spring break.
Groups’ leader picks Odessa with ‘FNL’ souvenirs in mind
BY ELAINE MARSILIO
emarsilio@oaoa.com
Minnesota resident Gretchen Guinn’s love for volunteering and clothes came together Wednesday at Catholic Charities’ thrift store.
Guinn, one of 38 students and friends of the University of Minnesota helped sort used clothing and housewares at the store as part of the group’s spring break “Pay It Forward Tour.”
The university nonprofit organization Students Today Leaders Forever left Minneapolis on March 9 for the tour’s fourth run.
The group trekked through North Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas donating their time to serving various communities through volunteering.
While arranging girls’ dresses, Guinn — a two-year tour veteran — held clothing up to herself and picked out a green sweater while saying she enjoys working with children at a Winona, Minn., day care.
“I kind of found my passion. [Now] if I could only be a professional volunteer,” the 20-year-old said.
The group will complete their journey today in San Antonio — to meet five other busloads of volunteers.
Eight other buses, traveling through other parts of the country, will meet today in Washington, D.C., instead.
Mike Rush, Odessa United Way executive director, said he received an e-mail from communications major Mike Johnson a few months ago about where the group could stay and work while in town.
“I wanted to try and help this group. They can get a sense of our community,” Rush said.
It was a little unusual to have students from out-of-town assist in the Odessa community, Rush said, but nationwide college groups throughout the years have increasingly helped others during spring break.
“Instead of partying, students want to do something all that more meaningful,” he said.
Students arrived in Odessa at 9 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Salvation Army, where they stayed and ate breakfast Wednesday.
From there, the group viewed the Catholic Charities agency on 10th Street and finished at the thrift store. Catholic Charities director Faye Rodriguez said the students’ help is appreciated since the three-employee store remains a vital part of the agency.
The store’s profits, she said, go back into the agency’s programs, such as assisting with medication purchases, providing clothing and supporting community members through the agency’s learning center.
“We depend on volunteers for a lot of things that we do,” she said.
Johnson, the bus corps leader, planned the Odessa stop due to his interest in the movie “Friday Night Lights,” which features the city and Permian High’s football team.
He said the group would purchase souvenirs before leaving town.
“We are going to see (Ratliff) stadium and go buy some Permian Panthers T-shirts,” he said, as he sorted boys’ clothing.
Meanwhile, Guinn said most volunteers joined the group for the same reason — to learn from their experiences and educate people in their own communities once they return.
“That’s what really unites us,” she said. |
