Since 1969, an ISU student-run organization has been committed to helping the unfortunate in Ames and central Iowa.

The ISU Volunteer Center is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations throughout Story County.

“We serve as a liaison between Story County and Iowa State,” said Laura Bestler-Wilcox, faculty adviser for the ISU Volunteer Center.

ISU alumnus Rob Denson created the Volunteer Center in 1969 as a community service project. The center’s first volunteer project was teaching mentally and physically handicapped children to bowl.

The volunteer center grew from there, reaching up to 175 members and 13 volunteer programs by 1980. The volunteers used their spare time and volunteered at places such as the Story County Hospital and the Iowa Training School for Boys.

Mandy Smallridge, ISU Volunteer Center president and senior in family and consumer science education, said the center has changed drastically since it began.

The center now mainly serves as a recruitment center for nonprofit organizations in Story County. She said this allows organizations to recruit volunteers for various activities, from food drives to fund-raisers.

The volunteers mostly work in conjunction with the Story County Volunteer Center to raise money and awareness of Story County citizens living in poverty, Smallridge said.

“We’re in the process of revamping, trying to be better known on campus,” she said.

The center is not only used for recruitment, Smallridge said. The members also coordinate monthly activities to benefit those who need their help the most.

Josh Solyntjes, member of the center and freshman in computer engineering, said the Volunteer Center is for people who would like to help their community. “We welcome anyone into our organization,” he said. “All you have to do is get in contact and come to our meetings.”

Although no experience is needed to belong, Solyntjes has a history of volunteering.

He said he volunteered at a Boys and Girls Club in a program called Smart Moves. Solyntjes taught children about drug and substance abuse and the best methods of prevention.

“I was a figure for them to look up to,” he said. “They were so happy to see me every day.”

Smallridge said the ISU Volunteer Center’s next event will be in late April, when they sponsor a school supplies drive in conjunction with America Reads/America Counts, an ISU volunteer group dedicated to improving children’s reading and math skills.

To learn more about the ISU Volunteer Center, e-mail Smallridge at [email protected].