Fun In the SUN Center

This archived article was written by: Shanna Frame

I say sun, you say fun! Sun! Fun! Go service! The mission of the Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah SUN Involvement Center is to unite the college and service communities together in productive, volunteer activities that inspire meaningful service, promote a positive image and develop life-long, responsibly engaged citizens. SUN Center stands for Serving Utah Network Center and its motto this year is, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” –John Wesley.
It is clear that selfless acts of service are what the SUN Center is about, but some of the questions asked in relation to the SUN Center are: what is the SUN Center about? What motivates people to get involved in service? On becoming involved in SUN Center service opportunities, McCall Heaton pointed out, “It’s a great way to express oneself.” For Beth Liddell, “The SUN Center is where individuals are enabled to grow and become the person each of us is supposed to. It’s an opportunity to discover who you are through serving others.”
Dustin Jensen, who has taken the opportunity to get involved and find the joy of serving, said “the SUN Center teaches people to serve others in the way they need to be served, which is the most fulfilling kind of service.” Jason Fredrickson stated, “To me the SUN Center is an opportunity to better one’s self, the USU Eastern institution and our community through the giving of service.” “If the SUN Center had another name it would be the Fun Center, enough said,” expressed Amanda Frame.
SUN Center has numerous of activities going on throughout the entire year. There are opportunities to serve for anyone who has a want to get involved. For those that are going into elementary education or like working with children, there are activities with the local elementary schools. For those that appreciate botany, agriculture or simply love being outside, they have the Potato Project, or projects with the Division of Natural Resources. They also work with the food bank for those who like food and enjoy helping others who are less fortunate. Some opportunities to serve are given by community service providers, and others are directed or created by USU Eastern- SUN Center leaders. These opportunities allow hands-on experience and allow life changing experiences for those who take the time to see them.
Some of the upcoming SUN Center events include: Active Reentry’s Run, Walk and Roll, Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m.; Parkdale Concert, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7-7:30 p.m.; (DNR) Duck Project, Saturday, Sept. 29, 8 a.m.; and Shopapaloosa Face Painting, Friday, Oct. 12, noon-9 p.m. For more information on upcoming events or to sign-up, visit the SUN Center on the second floor of the Jennifer Levitt Student Center.