If you’re looking for a way to show your community you care, then you’re in luck. Turlock Shines, a community volunteer program, just may be the thing for you.
Turlock Shines has two dates this year, one on Sept. 29 and another on Oct. 6. This will be the fifth annual event. Turlock Shines became possible through former TUSD board member Tim LaVelle and Dana Vaughan, who thought of the idea for Turlock to “shine.”
Former Councilwoman Mary Jackson, who helps make Turlock Shines happen every year, became involved in the project after being elected to the Turlock City Council.
“I really wanted us to look at different ways to give visitors a great ‘first impression’ of our community,” Jackson said.
“This project is great because we work with several government agencies – including the Union Pacific railroad and Stanislaus County – and […] volunteers from throughout the community: Turlock Covenant Church, United Methodist Church, Westside Ministries, Turlock and Pitman High School students, Boy Scout troops and local business owners to name a few.”
Volunteering is a great way to wholeheartedly give back to your community and show your appreciation for your town.
Not to mention the extra spark it gives you on your resume.
“I think it’s a great way for young people to get involved and help create a positive change in our community,” Rachel Hughes (senior, Psychology) said.
When asking students if they would actually be interested in volunteering with Turlock Shines, Michelle Lopez (senior, Biological Sciences) was enthusiastic about giving back.
“Yeah, I would,” Lopez said. “I love volunteering.”
“I’ve volunteered with the Hunger Network at We Care Men’s Shelter and with my sorority Lambda Sigma Gamma making Thanksgiving feasts [for] families of the kids in the California Head Start Program. We’ve also done toy drives around Christmas time and made Easter baskets for kids who have suffered domestic violence.”
Whether you are a volunteering expert or a first timer, Turlock Shines could use the help.
“CSU Stanislaus is a significant partner in Turlock, in my opinion, and this event is another way for both new and returning students to feel connected to the Turlock community,” Jackson said.
“We welcome anyone or any group who is interested in getting involved. In the past, the CSUS baseball team has done a super job of re-staining the playpark at Donnelly Park and several CSUS fraternities have picked up garbage along Golden State boulevard.”
So keep up the good work, CSU Stanislaus, and let’s continue to be an indispensible asset to the community by helping with the fifth annual Turlock Shines.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Mary Jackson at 209-585-7372 or [email protected].