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Silver
Wings program soars at University
By
Camila Salazar
Gavel Reporter
Katie
Ryan wanted to spread her wings. As a former member
of Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps and its
Arnold Air Society, she was intent on creating a community
service program at the University. She founded the local
chapter of Silver Wings last year.
Silver
Wings is a national, coed, professional organization
dedicated to creating effective civic leaders through
community service and education about national defense.
“I
decided that I was still really interested in giving
back to the community and supporting Air Force ROTC,”
she said.
Ryan,
a member of Delta Zeta, had to undertake the duties
associated with establishing a new organization. She
made trips to the Office of Campus Involvement, rounded
up sponsor students and secured a faculty advisor, Air
Force Capt. Bob Scholl.
She
also had to select officers, write a constitution and
formulate chapter by-laws. The Arnold Air Society is
sharing their funds with Silver Wings until the program
raises enough money to operate on its own.
Every
Silver Wings chapter focuses on three essential goals:
personal development, professional development and civic
awareness. Each goal is achieved through direct involvement
with the community. The University Silver Wings chapter
recently volunteered their time gardening for the Northwest
Ohio Hospice Center in Perrysburg.
According
to Jennifer Manuel, Delta Zeta president, Silver Wings
works on a Joint National Project each year. This year’s
JNP focus is on cancer, she said, which makes efforts
at the Hospice Center especially appropriate.
Upcoming
community service projects include painting pumpkins
with hospitalized children at St. Vincent Mercy Medical
Center in Toledo and participating in the American Heart
Association Heart Walk, Dance Marathon, Special Olympics
and the Army Angel Tree. Silver Wings members also prepare
“Good Luck Breakfasts” for Air Force officers
who take a monthly test to determine their future status.
When
Ryan introduced Silver Wings a year ago she realized
the amount of future growth and potential the organization
has.
“We
have already received letters of thanks from several
organizations that have expressed their appreciation
for our help,” she said. “I see Silver Wings
growing in membership and continuing to live out the
Silver Wings motto: ‘Knowledge, Wisdom, and the
Courage to Serve.’”
“Silver
Wings will continue to give back to the community while
carrying out its national objectives.”
- Silver
Wings meetings are held every Tuesday in Memorial
Hall, on the second floor of Anderson Arena. Membership
is open to anyone. If interested, please contact Katie
Ryan at 372-1646 or e-mail kar170@hotmail.com.
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