Students were encouraged to sign up for community service opportunities in the Douglas County area Thursday during a community service fair in Harter Union Lobby.

Organizations from the county, Baldwin City and Baker set up booths with information and sign up sheets so students would be able to learn about the organizations surrounding the university, what the organizations do and how students can help or volunteer.

Senior Rachel Lusk attended the fair and said it made researching possible volunteering opportunities more convenient, and she liked that the volunteer opportunities were in the area instead of places like Topeka or Kansas City.

“I feel a greater connection to the local (organizations),” Lusk said

One of the organizations with a booth at the fair was CLO’s Midnight Farm, a therapeutic horse riding farm close to Eudora.

Brett Bauer, director of volunteer recruitment and business development, said students make great volunteers because they have more flexible schedules and are able to help with more active volunteer opportunities like walking alongside horses.

The volunteer fair was organized by the Office of Student Affairs to encourage students to lend a helping hand.

Dean of Students Cassy Bailey said students who volunteer in college usually volunteer for life.

“It is important for students to remember that the world is greater than them; it is bigger than our campus and the city they live in,” Bailey said.