Then my sophomore year, I was news editor and I was helping writers edit their articles. And boy that was challenging! But during that process, my writing became better and I am thankful for the opportunity.
Lastly, my junior (first semester), I spent in D.C., but I blogged for the magazine I was interning for. When I came back to Armstrong my second semester, I took a break from the paper and just focused on school. So when my teacher told the class that part of our grade was writing for the newspaper, I was scared because I had not written in a while. And I kept wondering if I would remember everything I learned from when I wrote and edited for the paper.
So I called Reese and he gave my a story. The story was Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity volunteering at animal control Labor Day weekend. Though it was a simple story, I was scared of writing the article. Scared about getting back into the swing of writing. But once I had my interviews, I felt more and more confident as the story started to come together.
The event took place on Saturday and there is a 24-hour turnaround when writing events. So I began writing Saturday night, but did not like where the story was heading. So I let it sit overnight. In my journalism class, we learned about alternative leads. So for this piece, since is was not a hard news piece, I wanted to try an alternative lead out.
This is what I came up:
It began as an individual community service project for Garrett Austin, a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Every Friday and Saturday, Austin volunteered at Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department's Animal Control right behind the Humane Society for Greater Savannah on Sallie Mood Drive.
Since Garrett Austin was the organizer, I knew he would give me my story. I thought it was interesting how it started off as volunteering he did on his own and then once he became a part of this fraternity, he brought the idea to other members. Once I was able to write a lead I was satisfied with, I was able to develop the rest of the story. The whole story was 600 words and I was able to add a side bar.
After turning it in, I was nervous. I was nervous that I was going to have to change things or the quotes did not make sense. I had a million thoughts running through my head. But when I saw it in the paper, I noticed the article was not changed. Maybe a few things here and there, but for the most part it was the story I wrote. I was really excited and am looking forward to writing another article.
Here is my story:
http://www.theinkwellonline.com/news/students-volunteer-for-labor-day-weekend-1.2579755
Here is the story I wrote during Labor Day weekend.
Students volunteer Labor Day weekend
By Carmen Singleton
Staff Reporter
It began as an individual community service project for Garrett Austin, a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Every Friday and Saturday, Austin volunteered at Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Animal Control Police Department (SCMACPD) right behind the Humane Society.
When Austin arrived at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) in the fall of 2010, he joined Pi Kappa Alpha; once a member, he explained his community service to other members and it was approved as a fraternity event.
“This is something I had started; trying to get Greek students and non-Greek students to give back to the community. I invited Greeks from Savannah State, so Armstrong and Savannah State could do something together,” Austin said.
At least 30 students came out to the event last semester; this time, though the number was not as big, students still wanted to give back to their community.
Max Everett, a freshman and pledge, said he came to support the community and to meet new people.
“Cleaning up the kennel, it’s something different. I love animals and thought this would be a neat experience to give back to the community,” Everett said.
Anthony Chimwala, junior from Savannah State and member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity said this was his second time volunteering with AASU and wanted to help the animals in whichever way he could.
Once the students arrived at SCMAPD, Mrs. Diane Abolt, volunteer director greeted them with an orientation and tour of the building.
She told everyone the dos and don’ts of volunteering and how crucial it was to have volunteers, because they are very understaffed.
“Volunteer hours are worth $21 an hour,” Abolt said.
The facility has 116 kennels for dogs and they average about 130 dogs each day.
“By law we only have to keep the dogs for five days. After that, the dogs can be euthanized. The sad part of this is putting a dog down,” Abolt said.
However, she said they try to keep the dogs much longer by opening cages up for adoptions and rescue groups.
“We are very thorough when doing an adoption. The animal must be up-to-date on shots, spade or neutered. If the family has another animal or small child, they must bring them in for a meet and greet. And if living in an apartment, they must show us proof that they can have an animal,” Abolt said.
She also said they do not charge rescue groups, but groups must prove that they are a rescue group, through their 501(c)(3) papers, which states if a group is a non-profit organization. Groups must also have their Department of Agriculture License (AG), which allows groups to take care of animals. Lastly, she said groups must have up-to-date vet records before they give away any animal.
After orientation and the tour, students went right to work. Some students scooped up poop; others rinsed and scrubbed the animal’s pins and others walked and played with some of the dogs.
After the students were done, Abolt passed out t-shirts to all the volunteers to show appreciation for their work.
“I want volunteers to realize how valuable volunteering is; to help something less fortunate. When an animal trust you it trust you totally. You are the animals advocate,” Abolt said.
Austin said the event was a success and would like to volunteer each semester.
“You should give back. Whenever you do stuff together, it builds bonds. I want each semester to have a bigger turnout,” Austin said.
Break-Out Box, if you want.
Animal Control has a donation wish list.
1. Card board carriers for cats
2. News Paper
3. Flea Medications
4. Heartworm Prevention
5. Pill Poppers
6. Large and Small carriers to use for evacuation purposes
7. Puppy and kitten replacement formula
8. Blankets/Towels/Rags
9. Paper Towels
10. Donation’s to Veterinary Hospital for treatments
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