Most college students would assume that they don't have time or motivation to make community service a priority in addition to the already present stress and workload of classes, managing social life, and juggling the responsibilities of a part time job.

Volunteering, however, is easy and there are so many reasons to get involved with a great cause. DoSomething.org, a non-profit organization that encourages young people to be active in their communities, and even lists "Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer ". Leslie Shaffer, graduate assistant in the TeamVOLS office, said "Volunteering on campus helps students to become more engaged in campus life and with their fellow students -Leslie Shaffer, Team VOLSVolunteering on campus helps students to become more engaged in campus life and with their fellow students while volunteering in the Knoxville community exposes students to a life outside the campus bubble and helps them to gain a greater awareness of the needs of people across the socioeconomic spectrum."

In a state known for its volunteerism, UT and the Knoxville community are not lacking opportunities for college students to make a difference. Several hundred students volunteer each year with one of the most well known campus service organizations, TeamVOLS . The TeamVOLS program is open to all students and offers daily service activities at agencies varying from Boys & Girls Club and the Young-Williams Animal Center to the Salvation Army and Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries.

UT students can even take their volunteering efforts outside of the local area by participating in an Alternative Break trip sponsored by TeamVOLS. In past years, team members have traveled to destinations such as Augusta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; and Uniontown, PA to spread the Volunteer spirit in a meaningful way. Trips include five days of service work with various organizations in the area and take place during both Fall and Spring breaks.

To be included in the TeamVOLS e-mail list and learn more about these opportunities, you can fill out an interest form online. "Then you simply decide which opportunities fit your interests and your schedule, and show up to help out!  There is no set rule on how little or how much you can be involved with TeamVOLS weekly programs" explained Leslie.

Clinic Vols offers hands-on experience that is especially beneficial to pre-med students yet is open to students of all majors. Students volunteering with Clinic Vols help maintain volunteer nurse clinics at Green, Beaumont, and Inskip elementary schools. You can assist the Clinic Vols program by emailing advisor Dr. Robert Kronick at rkronick@utk.edu .

The UTK chapter of Habitat for Humanity is onsite at construction projects taking place in the Knoxville community nearly every weekend and also participates in fund-raising for the organization. Habitat's international mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. For more information about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, contact advisor Kent Van Cleave at kvanclea@utk.edu.

If you are looking to volunteer at a special event, UT's Relay for Life and Dance Marathon involve hundreds of students each year to raise money for two very worthy causes. Relay for Life, held in Circle Park each year, is a nationwide event benefiting the American Cancer Society. This year, the UT Relay rose over $38,000 for cancer research. Executive Board member Erin Brady said, "Students participate in this event to help give back to the community, as well as to support a great cause that may or may not have affected them personally. This event means so many different things to different peopleThis event means so many different things to different people - Erin Brady, Relay for Life Exec; but in the end, it's about helping to fight cancer."

Dance Marathon is another campus wide philanthropy that culminates with a 14 hour all-night event supporting the Oncology and Hematology Clinic at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. If you haven't got any rhythm, don't let the name scare you. You won't be dancing all night; the event is simply a celebration of life complete with live bands, inflatable games, food and of course, some dancing!

Other organizations in Knox County where you can donate your time and resources include YMCA, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful.