More than 50 local clubs have received a helping hand from year 13 Mount Aspiring College students this year as part of the Students in the Community (SITC) volunteering programme.

Students have provided digital help sessions for senior citizens, cut and bagged firewood for local fundraisers, catalogued books at the local library, cleared and weeded local waterways and helped organise fundraisers. 

They’ve also coached a range of sports, dug new bike tracks and mentored younger students, among numerous other activities - and the school year is only halfway gone. 

“Our volunteering students are totally awesome - they are capable and enthusiastic,” SITC coordinator Mylrea Bell said. “I’m very proud of their achievements.” 

Caroline Taillie helping Annabel at a Digital IT Drop-In session at the Wanaka Library. PHOTO: Andy Woods

She said National Volunteer Week (June 20-26) is a good time to acknowledge the huge amount the local students are doing in the local community.

SITC students are expected to complete 50 hours of volunteering over the school year and Bella Sarginson is one of the students who has already surpassed that goal, volunteering for four-or-more hours per week on average.

Bella is the daughter of Bex Sarginson, the founder of Food for Love meal charity, so volunteering has always been in her life.

Carter Hewson kitted and ready to help the Luggate Fire Brigade at the BLAST youth programme. PHOTO: Luggate Fire Brigade 

She’s been bringing baking to school a couple of times a week for students in need for the past three-or-so years; since she got her driver's licence she’s started dropping off meals; and she helps with “all sorts” of other things behind the Food for Love scenes.

For the past two years she has also brought a bag of lunches to school for MAC students every day: “It’s just an everyday part of my life now,” she told the Wānaka App.

That’s not all: Bella coaches netball, which involves one practise and one game per week, plus she does a lot of umpiring (which required a weekend trip to Dunedin a couple of weeks ago), and this year she volunteered on ANZAC Day by reading the Hāwea roll of honour.

“I’ve got other commitments and stuff on every day after school, so it’s very busy,” Bella said. “It’s a struggle but it’s definitely worth it.”

Bella Sarginson reads the Roll of Honour at the ANZAC Dawn Service. PHOTO: Supplied

She commended other students for their volunteering efforts and said she would recommend volunteering to anyone. 

“Volunteering can be anything - it can be as little as taking a can to Community Networks or donating $10 to a cause,” she said. 

“Not only is it beneficial for the person you’re helping, you feel that satisfaction as well.”

Students in the Community runs throughout the school year - if your group club would like to be involved, send an email to [email protected].