Westminster College student volunteers assembled hygiene kits for refugees in partnership with the International Rescue Committee and educational kits for local K-12 students for Westminster Day of Service Monday. The Dumke Center for Civic Engagement hosted the event in the Bassis Student Center from 2-4:30 p.m.
Kelsey Smith, community engagement coordinator for the Dumke Center and sophomore international relations major, said this is the first year the Day of Service event was normal since COVID-19.
“We’ve had a great turnout,” Smith said. “We’ve run out of supplies mostly, which is awesome, so we’re excited to get these kits to the people that need help.”
Hygiene Kits
The Dumke Center collaborated with the IRC to create hygiene kits for refugee resettlement, according to the Dumke Center.
Utah will receive 765 Afghan refugees in the coming months, but the number could change, according to Gov. Spencer Cox’s update of refugees.
“Those [refugee] numbers are going to increase, which is great,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful Utah is doing that, so our kits are really just to help that refugee resettlement process and help them acclimate as smoothly as we can.”
The hygiene kits included:
- Wipes
- Sponges
- Pads
- Combs
- Trash bags
- Kleenex
Ben Snarr, Dumke Center coordinator and first-year undeclared major, said, “I think It’s important to help people that maybe wouldn’t otherwise have these things.”
Smith said the essential items and basic needs like trash bags and sponges are often overlooked.
“I think at a time right now when so many people are struggling and I’m in a more privileged position where I can help others with my time, I think that is what most people need to be doing is just giving back when they can,” Smith said.
K-12 Educational Kits
Volunteers put together K-12 educational kits for the local community youth, according to the Dumke Center.
The K-12 educational kits included:
- Pencil box
- Pencils
- Colored pencils
- Crayons
- Markers
- Glue stick
- Scissors
Juanita Galvis, a first-year marketing major, said volunteering is a fulfilling activity.
“It’s an opportunity to anonymously help others […] regardless of who they are,” Galvis said.
Snarr said the event is a great way to help people.
“[…] That’s what we do at Dumke is community political events just to educate and then help others,” Smith said. “That’s what we love to do.”
