Giving Back Despite the Distance

By Emily Snyder '21, January 29, 2021

Virtual volunteer opportunities keep students civically engaged during the coronavirus pandemic.

Avery Virkler ’24 and letter-writing materials

Avery Virkler ’24 has written letters to several seniors as part of Beauty Becomes You’s Circle of Light program.

(Photos submitted)

Ithaca College students routinely volunteer their time and talents to local organizations. During the coronavirus pandemic, those volunteer opportunities haven’t disappeared — they’ve just gone virtual.

The college’s Office of Student Engagement (OSE) offers students many virtual volunteer opportunities to allow students to give back to those in need, and to help meet the college’s strategic plan goal of being a private college serving a public good.

Jackie Marusiak ‘21, a student leadership consultant in the OSE, regularly updates the list of available service opportunities.

“Many of these opportunities touch upon similar themes, such as helping nonprofits in their missions,” Marusiak said.

“I appreciate Beauty Becomes You's mission of spreading joy and positivity during this hard time. I am happily surprised to feel so involved despite everything being virtual.”

Avery Virkler ’24

Avery Virkler ’24 took advantage of those opportunities and began to volunteer for Beauty Becomes You’s Circle of Light program. A 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, Beauty Becomes You typically provides beauty services to seniors and family caregivers.

Established during the pandemic, the Circle of Light program asks volunteers to write letters to seniors located all over the country, in which volunteers are encouraged to share the story of an older adult who served as an inspiration and write a supportive message.

That mission resonated with Virkler, who has written letters to three seniors. “I appreciate Beauty Becomes You's mission of spreading joy and positivity during this hard time,” she said. “I am happily surprised to feel so involved despite everything being virtual.”

“It is an incredible opportunity for a small charity such as ours to partner with Ithaca College. It proves that together we can do so much to make the world a better place.”

Alison O’ Neil, founder of Beauty Becomes You

Beauty Becomes You founder Alison O’ Neil said the Circles of Light program allows volunteers to connect with the senior community and make a meaningful difference.

“It is an incredible opportunity for a small charity such as ours to partner with Ithaca College,” O’ Neil said. “It proves that together we can do so much to make the world a better place.”

And while the impact of the volunteer work on individuals like Virkler is profound, it also makes a difference for those who work in the OSE.

“The ability to help students get involved in service is one of the reasons I became a student leadership consultant,” Marusiak said. “It means a lot to me that our office is still committed to helping students do service work during these times.”