About Jamie Shafer...
Hometown: I grew up just outside of Columbus, Ohio in a suburb called Upper Arlington. I also spent a lot of time in northern Minnesota and attended school there for a portion of 4th grade and during my junior year of high school, I studied abroad in southern Italy for a semester.
Degree Objective: I am declared a political science major, but I am looking forward to possibly converting to international studies once CofC confirms it as a major. I am also very interested in history and African studies.
Expected Date of Graduation: May 2010
Current Volunteer Activities:Currently all my efforts are going into organizing a week-long series of events to raise awareness and money for Darfur. The week is being co-sponsored by over 15 organizations on campus. All funds will go to the Save Darfur Coalition that works to raise awareness about the situation in Darfur and to petition policy members to take action to stop it. Some other things I am involved with: SGA Freshman Senator – President Pro Tempore – Academic Affairs Chairperson; Americans for Informed Democracy Club – CofC Chapter President;Honor Board member
What are you most proud of contributing to your organization? Passion, hard work, and new ideas.
I never say “never” and I will always put the effort in to turning a good idea into action. Weeks ago we came up with the idea to sell t-shirts to raise money for Darfur and everything just escalated from there.
I am also proud of the way that people have been able to work together with important campus-wide efforts for change. I am by no means the only one organizing and helping out with “A Time to Change, A Chance to Save Darfur,” and I am so proud of the work that my fellow students have put into this.
Previous Volunteer Activities: AMOR Ministries – construction work in Tijuana, Mexico; Interfaith Hospitality Network; Columbus Children’s Hospital PICU and ICU; Streets Mission Project
What do you enjoy about community service?Sometimes I feel like I get caught up in little stuff that isn’t important and I often take for granted all the gifts I have been given. I enjoy giving back for everything that I have been so lucky to receive. I also really like the human interaction, both with those you are helping and with other volunteers working together for something important.
What is Your most Memorable Volunteer Experience? That’s a tough one. My trips to Mexico have really changed me and molded me into who I am today. I spent three weeks of my high school career in Tijuana sleeping on the ground, giving up showers for a week at a time, and building a total of three houses. At the same time, the project I am working on right now has really been amazing. When everyone showed up for the candle vigil last night it was truly moving to see all these people working together for a cause that often seems so over our heads. I don’t think I can really pick out one “most memorable” experience because all of them have touched me in a deep and special way.
How do your friends/co-workers describe you?According to my roommate and boyfriend I am: passionate, charismatic, energetic, friendly, and good-humored.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering? You may begin thinking you are going to change someone else’s life, but what you don’t realize is that your life will change as well.

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