University of Virginia Library

Madison Hall Requests Help

By MIKE LEECH

1600 IBM cards is only the
beginning. The next job at Madison
Hall is the enormous task of
channelling the resources and
expertise of the University into the
long list of community needs.

It sounds simple: a community
full of people who need some sort
of help, and a University full of
students able — and hopefully
willing—to lend their abilities and
time to help out.

But consider the fact that of
the 1600 registered volunteers, less
than 500 have filled out the OVCS
questionnaire. The 1100 other
people (yourself included?) have to
be contacted. And that's only the
beginning.

Big Brother

The next step is orientation. In
the Big Brother/Big Sister program,
this means interviews with all
volunteers to explain just what's
expected. The interview also lets
the experienced Big Sisters and
Brothers explain the most common
difficulties, problems to watch for,
and the recreational opportunities
availing in the program. The
orientation meeting will be held
Tuesday evening, September 28, at
7:30 in Wilson Hall 402.

The tutoring orientation
meeting will be on Monday also at
7:30 in Wilson 402. The problem
here is to match the skills of the
volunteer to the age group, subject,
and school where the need is
greatest. Besides Albemarle and
Lane High Schools, there are several
elementary and Junior High School
tutoring programs that need
assistance. In addition, tutors are

needed for the Davis Ward of
University Hospital, and adult
program, and a study center.

Wednesday Night

For those interested in
companionship therapy, the
medical program, recording for the
blind, and recreational programs,
the meeting to attend is on
Wednesday September 29 in 308
Wilson Hall at 7:30 P.M.

100 volunteers are needed to
work in six hospitals on a
one-to-one basis with patients who,
more than anything else, need a
friend. The recreational programs
include working with Boy and Girl
Scouts, the YMCA, and the city
recreation department as an
advisor, coach, or counselor. The
medical program means helping out
in the emergency ward of
University Hospital.

Project SCRUB

The latest and most ambitious
of Madison Hall's programs is
Project SCRUB (Students
Concerned with Rural and Urban
Betterment), and it is here that help
is most urgently needed. Growing
out of last year's Work Projects
program, SCRUB is a housing and
community betterment effort of
massive proportions. So much work
is needed that volunteers are
needed at any time of any day. In
the past year, 32 projects were
completed, including 1600
man-hours of work from over 300
volunteers.

Helpers?

Anyone interested in any of the
above programs and who hasn't
already done so, is asked to fill out
an OVCS in Madison Hall—across
the street from the Rotunda.