Students scrub toilets for charity

As Alexis Stevens diligently scrubbed a toilet bowl, Jennifer Gnipp poured Comet into the small sink of a closet-sized bathroom Saturday afternoon at the Bellefonte Youth Center, 131 S. Allegheny St.

The organization offers one-time volunteer opportunities twice each month for students. The programs usually has four sites from which the volunteers select.

"I think it's set up really nice since there is a choice of what (sites) to choose from," Gnipp said.

When Stevens and Gnipp met a group of 13 at the center, a cleaning list was divided among them. The list ranged from washing dishes to mopping floors to vacuuming. Immediately, the group began their duties with smiles on their faces.

"I don't mind cleaning bathrooms," Gnipp said. "I don't do it much at home."

Angie Derr, an AmeriCorps volunteer from the Youth Service Bureau, who works at the center, said she thinks Into The Streets is a wonderful concept.

"It's so nice -- we need people to help because we're struggling here," she said.

Shannon Wood (sophomore-environmental resource management), a team leader for Into The Streets, first joined Lions SHARE during the Fall Semester.

"I like getting other people to volunteer because it's a good thing," she said. "The more people we get volunteering the better off the community will be."

Many people return to Into the Streets after volunteering once, Wood said, and many people asked about other opportunities over the weekend.

Stevens said this was the first time she volunteered and that she will definitely return to the program.

"It feels good to help other people out," she said.

The next Into the Streets is April 12 -- for more information call 863-4624.