NAU’s Axe of Service website has recorded more than 6,800 service hours from 4,000 users in the last year. Two of those users, Rachel Kanyur and Lydia Nelson, continue to find ways to give back to the Flagstaff community. With four months left in the calendar year, why not join them?
Kanyur, a student recruitment manager in Continuing and Graduate Admissions, began using Axe of Service three years ago to make changes and build connections in her community. For her, the best part about Axe of Service is the ability to do short-term and long-term volunteer projects according to her schedule.
“I’ve been able to register for one-time meal prep or grocery distributions through the Flagstaff Family Food Center,” Kanyur said. “Because there were so many dates and times available, I could pick the individual shifts that worked best for me. Although, having a regular long-term commitment is a special experience. Last fall, I was able to use my staff volunteer hours to coach for Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona. Being a mentor and helping girls find their inner strength was an experience I will never forget.”
Similarly, Nelson, a senior records coordinator in the Office of the Registrar, began volunteering at the Flagstaff Family Food Center about a year ago. She wanted to feel connected to her neighborhood and the Flagstaff community as a whole. Through Axe of Service, she was able to keep track of the work going back into the community.
“I started volunteering during work hours to use my staff community engagement hours, but when True Blue Fridays began over the summer, I used it as a way to start my mornings and get my weekends started on a productive cycle,” Nelson said. “Once I began consistently volunteering, I was able to form connections with the other volunteers, Flagstaff Family Food Center employees and the people picking up food. Now that summer has ended, I can’t volunteer as often as I was, but I use my hours to fit in a few more volunteer opportunities before they reset next year.”
Axe of Service is designed to connect the Flagstaff community with local volunteer opportunities through NAU. With close to 100 partners, volunteers can find opportunities with organizations that need support while also learning new skills. NAU staff are encouraged to use Axe of Service to find opportunities to complete community engagement hours. Staff can check the number of community engagement hours left through the Hours and Earnings section in Louie HR. It will list how many community engagement hours have been claimed year-to-date.
“It’s important to find your purpose in something larger than yourself,” Kanyur said. “Every organization I’ve worked with through Axe of Service exists because there is a need in the community. Being able to take time off work and help somebody as a neighbor instead of an employee is a great feeling. I feel energized and ready to come back to work after volunteering because I know I’m doing something that contributes to a community that invests so much into me.”
To learn more about Axe of Service, visit Axe of Service | Center for Service and Volunteerism or email axeofservice@nau.edu.