The expression "service with a smile" is often contrived or overused, but it rings true in reference to Rotaract, a service organization that helps with anything they can offer on and off campus to serve the community of Geneseo.
"We are a volunteer service organization affiliated with Rotary that does many events around campus," said club President Lindsey Brown, a senior. "We are always looking for more volunteers and more opportunities to volunteer."
Their motto is "service above self," and that is evident by the number of events in which they volunteer and organize. This past Saturday, the club organized a Geneseo LateKnight event, cookie and picture frame decorating, to benefit a hospital in the Rochester area. The event was packed with people, all crowding the tables to decorate picture frames and cookies.
"It went really well," said junior Ashley Claypoole, the secretary of the organization. "We spent all 300 dollars given to us by LateKnight and the event went until 11 [p.m.], ending early, because people found it so popular."
The club has also done fundraising for the Theresa House and the American Red Cross, run sneaker drives for children, and participated in the Annual Relay for Life and Operation Christmas Child. In past holiday seasons, they have sponsored families for Thanksgiving and Christmas by donating food and presents to the families.
The selfless nature of the club makes it a strong and intimate part of the college and the town. As an organization that is the university branch of a larger parent organization, they serve both the college and community.
"Since Geneseo has given so much to us, we feel the need to give back," Claypoole said.
True to their mission, the club has been active around the community, and club members plan to keep volunteering in full capacity. They soon plan to sponsor a family for Thanksgiving next week and another family for the Christmas season. Due to the success of last weekend's LateKnight event, they hope to organize two more events next semester, which have yet to be determined.
Like many other clubs on campus, they are always looking for new members and more people willing to give back to the community by volunteering.