GET READY FOR THE WEEK OF VOLUNTEERS!

On the first week of March, in association with K.U.Leuven and the University Parish, Serve the City Leuven is organizing a week of volunteering called the ‘ICare Campaign’. During this week, people can participate in activities aimed at assisting the need of the city, with venues and projects provided by Serve the City.

The ICare Campaign is a chance for Leuvenaars to get together and work for the benefit of others. During this week, two types of projects are on offer. One composes of the usual projects done by Serve the City with 2-3 hours shifts benefiting local organizations. The other is a university project, divided into faculties to raise money for the Jeanne de Vos fund, supporting orphanages in India. ICare is a social event where everyone can connect through volunteering.
Recently, Serve the City was nominated for ROBtv’s ‘De Pluim’ award, which celebrates the work of those who work for the better of society. Serve the City was one of the five organizations out of 31 to be nominated. Though in the end the prize went to someone else, with this recognition, the work of Serve the City proves to be a great benefit for its community.
Originally a volunteering initiative that started in Brussels about five years ago, Serve the City is now established in 40 different cities. In Leuven, Serve the City came about in May 2008 with its first action day. Now, with about 300 volunteers, Serve the City Leuven provides volunteers to help existing social organizations. Such organizations include care centers for people with disabilities, elderly homes and schools.
Since its establishment, Serve the City Leuven has been organizing Action Days where people can volunteer. These days consists of short projects requiring only a few hours. In March, the ICare Campaign will be one of the biggest Action Days in Leuven.
With the spirit of volunteering as the basis for the organization, Serve the City Leuven volunteers may be described as idealists. They believe that “tomorrow can be better than today,” says Horace Henriot, a member of the core team at Serve the City Leuven. In a sense, Serve the City Leuven bridges the gap between the people who live in Leuven and the organizations that exist in the city.
The goal of Serve the City is to create a different culture. In the words of Henriot, Serve the City aims to “give more to the community than take from it.” As an organization, Serve the City Leuven aims to encourage people to change their mindsets and help each other. Though fund is limited, the goal of Serve the City is not to make a lot of money for itself or to have big offices, but to “give everything away.” Giving back to the community is what Serve the City is all about.

Serve the City is open to all; everyone can participate. In fact, the motto of Serve the City is “everyone can serve.” People with different skills, of different religious background, age and nationalities are encouraged to take part.
From mobilizing people to join the action days to donation, everything can be done online with little effort. As Henriot puts it, “you sign up, you show up - that’s it,” the only commitment on the part of the volunteers is to physically show up and work.
Thus, March is a good start for anyone new to volunteering or wanting to enjoy a few days making new friends while doing something for the benefit of others. Whether you are student, a parent, a taxi driver or an accountant, anyone can volunteer a few hours for the benefit of the city.
With Serve the City-like organization in Antwerp and Ghent, Serve the City in other cities and countries are starting up. For those interested in started a Serve the City in their local cities, whether in Belgium or abroad, contact Serve the City for help with start up funds.
Learn more about Serve the City, Leuven and to sign up for Action Days, go to www.servethecityleuven.be |