Many students are eager to leave Pullman during winter break, but few know how their absence impacts the Palouse community.

“Over break, community partners still have needs that need to be met,” said Erin McIlraith, communications and marketing coordinator for the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE).

McIlraith said many organizations across the Palouse function solely through the help of volunteers, many of which are students. She said when students leave during school breaks, the organizations feel the impact of their absence.

McIlraith listed the Pullman Food Bank and the Community Action Center in Pullman among several organizations that are busiest during the holiday season and need volunteers.

Another such organization is Orphan Acres, a rescue and rehabilitation center for horses, McIlraith said.

Popular among students, Orphan Acres gives students the opportunity to care for horses. Doing so involves feeding, grooming and stall maintenance.

Although many students leave the Pullman area during break, the CCE enables students to receive credit for hours done in other cities.

McIlraith explained that students who leave Pullman have the option to create their own community service projects. She said students enjoy volunteering at community food banks or humane societies.

“It’s just nice to get back to your roots sometimes,” she said.

Students can look up partner organizations of the CCE by logging into OrgSync and searching for a city or organization on the “Service Partners” page.

Many cities and organizations are already a partner of the CCE, but if a student’s desired organization is not available, he or she can request it be added.

To add a community partner, students must submit a community request form, which helps the CCE verify that the organization meets listed requirements.

However, McIlraith said while it is beneficial to approve a community partner before completing service hours with them, it is not necessary.

“We try to make it easy,” she said.