Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Phyllis Noah, Communications Coordinator
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu or pnoah@shawnee.edu
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

New coordinator named for Shawnee State University’s Center for Community Service

            Nikki Karabinis has been named coordinator for the new Center for Community Service at Shawnee State University. She moved to Portsmouth from Boone, N.C.
            When she graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in college student development, Karabinis joined Vista for one year and worked at a small private college coordinating community service events, service scholarship programs and alternative break trips.
            “It was the best job I ever had so when I finished with Vista, I looked for something like that,” Karabinis said. “When I saw this job description, I knew it was perfect for me. It is exactly what I wanted.”
            Two of her goals are to increase the community service projects on and off campus for students and staff, and for the Center for Community Service to become known to everyone at the university.
            “I think that the experience students can get in college doing service can be very valuable,” Karabinis said. “They learn great work fields that can be transferred to many jobs, they make new friends and network.”
            One of the activities she is planning is Operation Christmas Child collecting shoe boxes filled with toys and school supplies. From Monday, Nov. 8 to Thursday, Nov. 18, people can donate filled shoe boxes and $7 for shipping at her office in the University Center, Room 222B. For more information on what to put into the shoe box, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/.
            Also on Monday, Nov. 8, the Canned Food Collection and Building Competition begins. Students, faculty and staff can register a team to compete for $200 at the end of the food drive on Nov. 18 in building something with all the cans they collected. A panel of judges will determine the winner. All the food collected will be donated to local food pantries.
            Another collection is for SSU graduate Tim Steflik who is working with the Peace Corp in Zavet, Bulgaria, at a boys’ boarding school for underprivileged children. The boys, ages 8 to 18, are in dire need of long-sleeved shirts and warm socks. Karabinis will be collecting these items from Monday, Nov. 8 to Monday Nov. 15. Drop off donations at her office in the UC, Room 222B.
            Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week begins on Monday, Nov. 15 with a documentary, “Easy Street,” that shows one year in the lives of homeless people in St. Petersburg, Fla. In collaboration with Sodexo, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 through Thursday, Nov. 18, donations will be accepted at the Bear’s Den where anyone can donate the cost of lunch for a local food pantry.
            During Veteran’s Recognition Day, Karabinis will have a table set up with cards where people can write notes that will be sent to veterans at VA hospitals.
            “It’s nice to give something back to the community,” Karabinis said. “I want to make that part of what makes Shawnee State great.”
            For more information on any of the events at the Center for Community Service, contact Karabinis at nkarabinis@shawnee.edu.