NORFOLK – A volunteer project at Northeast Community College is giving students a “winning” edge.

Volunteering For the Win invites Northeast students, in groups and as individuals, to compete to log the most volunteer hours over a specified time period. Now in its second year, the initiative is the signature project of Northeast’s Student Leadership Association (SLA).

“Each year, SLA chooses a signature project,” said Carissa Kollath, director of student activities at Northeast. “This project is something they want to focus their time and energy on to better serve our campus or community. Community service is very important to (the younger) generation, and they want to be involved and give back to others as much as they can.”

Last year, 55 students completed 265 hours of service over a three-week period. This year, the competition has been extended to six weeks and has 42 participants signed up.

SLA Secretary Kelsey McCaig, Blair, participated in Volunteering For the Win in 2018 and has registered again this year.

“Volunteering For the Win is a great event for both the students who choose to volunteer and the Norfolk community. The event teaches the students how rewarding giving back can be, and it also gets the community further engaged with Northeast.”

In its inaugural year, Volunteering For the Win was awarded full funding through the Youth Philanthropy Contest, which is sponsored by the Philanthropy Council of Northeast Nebraska.

Kollath said a total of 16 local businesses and organizations are participating in the event this year. Volunteers have the opportunity to walk dogs for the Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska, dust bookcases at Norfolk Public Library, work with children and teens at The Zone and Aftershock after-school programs, and deliver meals for Meals on Wheels.

Other participating businesses and organizations include Bright Horizons, Elkhorn Valley Museum, Faith Regional Health Services, Furbaby Rescue, Head Start, Heritage of Bel-Air, Norfolk Arts Center, Norfolk Senior Center, Norfolk Veterans Home, Puppy Love and the YMCA.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams and individuals who log the most hours by March 11.