Radford University has a history of giving back to the community. On Monday, Jan. 16, about 300 Highlander students and faculty members lent a helping hand to several nonprofits throughout Roanoke Valley.
Several Highlanders arrived about 9am at Feeding America Southwest Virginia, located at 1025 Electric Rd. in Salem, with smiles on their faces ready to give back to the less fortunate.
Before the Highlanders got a tour of the FASWVA building and started sorting food items, Feeding America Southwest Virginia volunteer coordinator James Andrews explained why it is so important to volunteer and give back. It’s normal for college students to ask questions when they don’t understand something and that is what some current Highlanders did. “I have been here for twelve years and I love my job,” James said. “It’s a joy to see young kids come here and help feed the hungry.”
Amanda Allen, Feeding America Southwest Virginia Marketing and Communications Coordinator, says that countless groups have volunteered at the distribution center over the years. “The commitment of the Radford University students to helping their community and Feeding America Southwest Virginia has been huge and it’s just awesome,” she said. “We have groups come in here all of the time, but this is a big one. This is a full house for us. They are going to be here all day which is great.”
As an energetic kid growing up in Virginia Beach (VA), Asia Smith said she was raised to always be appreciative of what you have and give back to the less fortunate. “I gave Feeding America a few hours of my time today to help those in need and in return I created some memories that I can cherish for a lifetime,” the Radford freshman said.
Feeding America Southwest Virginia Director of Volunteer Services Barb Putney said she has been extremely impressed with Radford University. “This is my third Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. With the first one, we also had a lot of kids from Radford. They booked the day the spring before last year and they did the same thing this year,” she said. “A lot of people stick a few people here and there, but they have made a commitment to this day.”
A former Radford student herself, Amanda Allen said she couldn’t be more proud of her alma mater. “We so appreciate the support of all of our local college and university students. They are fun, they are energetic and they make our day when they come. For them to come out on a nationally marked day of service and spend some time with us is just wonderful.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Millions of people all over the country answered that question in the affirmative with their actions on his birthday.
