Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Cougar Fest: Merchant and Volunteer Fair connected area businesses and non-profit organizations with students on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Students learned about the products and mission of area merchants, and engaged with representatives about volunteer opportunities.
“We’ve benefited from large groups of SIUE volunteers, as well as individuals who consistently give back through their involvement in our activities and events,” said Taylor Justice, volunteer and events coordinator at Beverly Farm. “We attend Cougar Fest every year. We’ve found that SIUE students are looking for opportunities to make a difference. They want to spend their time in meaningful ways.”
Cougar Fest’s entertainment, giveaways and prize drawings offered the perfect break for students between classes. Sophomore elementary education major Shauney Burns, of Chicago, visited with multiple non-profits and businesses.
“It’s nice that these businesses come to us on campus,” Burns said. “It’s a great way for them to get resources in the form of volunteers and for students to gain resources, as well.”