Nonprofits invited to Community Service Fair at Fallbrook High School

Local nonprofit organizations are being encouraged to participate in the inaugural Community Service Fair at Fallbrook High School. Scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on campus, the fair is an opportunity to connect organizations with high school students who need community service hours to fulfill new graduation requirements.

“We already have 10 organizations that have signed up and we would like to have as many as possible; we will make room for everyone,” said Anthony Morrow, organizer and Fallbrook High School career counselor.

Morrow explained that this is the first year that all seniors will have to fulfill a required 40 hours of community service.

“AR 6146.1, which was approved by the board [of trustees] in June of 2011, requires that beginning with the Class of 2015, all students must perform an approved 40 hours of community service in order to graduate,” said Morrow.

The big picture, Morrow said, is “that means in any given year beginning with this one, we will have between 72,000 and 93,000 hours of community service students <across the grades> will be working to fulfill.” This year’s senior class is comprised of 533 students.

Morrow said the idea behind the Community Service Fair was to create a venue where students could learn what different organizations do and match them with their interests.

“I feel that if kids find something they are interested in, they are more likely to not only do it, but repeat doing it,” he explained.

For the students’ community service hours to be accepted toward the school requirement, the organization they serve must be pre-approved by the career counseling center.

In the past, community service hours were beneficial to students’ college applications, but that too has become more competitive, Morrow said.

“Now are looking at if the student has a distinct passion in the community service work they are doing,” he explained. “In the past, perhaps a student spread their community service work in small increments over several organizations. Now, admissions departments are looking to see if a student has a passion for one element in society. Seeing a student’s passion tells them how that student will benefit their college campus community.” Leadership roles in that service area weigh heavily as well.

While many students have time to volunteer during the school year, Morrow said he hopes this will spur some of them to get out in the community and serve others during the summer months as well.

“I think that could be of benefit to them; they could help staff some worthy summer programs,” he noted.

Primarily, Morrow said, they want to connect the students with their community and Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce CEO Lila MacDonald offered to help facilitate the fair.

“We want to get the kids out there to take pride in their community and we are doing anything we can to encourage them,” said Morrow.

“The [nonprofit] organizations have some amazing people involved with them and can really mentor these kids and help mold an even better, more aware, and giving community partnership,” said MacDonald.

Organizations that would like to inquire about participating in the fair can call Lila MacDonald at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, (760) 728-5845.