NIU’s second-year students are encouraged to sign up for one or more of 21 service opportunities on campus and in nearby communities during February as part of Sophomore Days of Service (SDoS).
Sophomore Days of Service, sponsored by First- and Second-Year Experience, offers community service opportunities throughout February that are designed to engage and connect second-year students within the community in a short 2-3 hour, one-time volunteer commitment.
These events are strategically placed early in the spring semester to engage students in a stimulating activity that positively benefits others. Sophomores, in particular, have a desire to find ways to be purposeful in their communities. Student volunteers from last year’s events shared that they felt they made a difference in their community through these simple acts of service.
Additionally, sophomores have the opportunity to earn money towards tuition by serving in one or more events and writing a brief reflection essay. Students can learn more about — and apply — for this award online.
Although SDoS is targeted for second-year students, any student can sign up online. All events are Business Passport and Honors Engaged approved. (Blood drive will not count towards Honors Engaged).
Sign up for one or more service event listed below:
Thursday, Feb. 1 – Barb Food Mart, 4:30-6 p.m. 1515 South 4th Street, Door 28, DeKalb, IL 60115
Friday, Feb. 2 – Feed My Starving Children, 6-7:30 p.m. 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504
Tuesday, Feb. 6 – Campus Childcare, 3-5 p.m. Campus Childcare, DeKalb, IL 60115
Tuesday, Feb. 6 – Fun with Snowmen, 4-8 p.m. 3100 Sycamore Road Suite 2003 DeKalb, IL 60115
Wednesday, Feb. 7 – Campus Childcare, 3-5 p.m. Campus Childcare, DeKalb, IL 60115
Thursday, Feb. 8 – Barb Food Mart, 9-11a.m. 1515 South 4th Street, Door 28, DeKalb, IL 60115
Thursday, Feb. 8 – Communiversity Gardens, 5–7 p.m. Altgeld 125
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Raven’s Husky Haven and Rescue, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 27779 Five Points Road, Sycamore, IL 60178
Saturday, Feb. 10 – TAILS Humane Society, 1-4 p.m. 2250 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
Monday, Feb. 12 – DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center, 2-4 p.m. 2600 North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
Thursday, Feb. 15 – DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center, 2-4 p.m. 2600 North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
Friday, Feb. 16 – Egyptian Theatre, 2-4 p.m. 135 N 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Raven’s Husky Haven and Rescue, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 27779 Five Points Road, Sycamore, IL 60178
Saturday, Feb. 17 – TAILS Humane Society, 1-4 p.m. 2250 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
Sunday, Feb. 18 – Egyptian Theatre, 10 a.m. to noon, 135 N 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
Thursday, Feb. 22 – Huskie Student Food Pantry, 5-8 p.m. Chick Evans Field House
Saturday, Feb. 24 – Feed My Starving Children, 2-4 p.m. 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504
Sunday, Feb. 25 – Raven’s Husky Haven & Rescue, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 27779 Five Points Road, Sycamore, IL 60178
Monday, Feb. 26 – DeKalb Area Women’s Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1021 State St, DeKalb, IL 60115
Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Blood Drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Campus Life Building, room 100
Each volunteer site will have a student-site leader who will look after the volunteers for each site. Responsibilities for site leaders include communicating with the host site representatives about SDoS and the designated responsibilities so that volunteers are aware of what is expected, distributing and collecting volunteer evaluations after the service and returning them to the FSYE office, ensuring that volunteers are doing their tasks, and answering questions or finding the answers to questions that volunteers may have. Students can apply to become a site leader online or pick up an application in FSYE office.
For more information, visit the First- and Second-Year Experience website www.niu.edu/fsye, come to our office in Altgeld Hall, room 100, call 815-753-0028 or email fsye@niu.edu.
