Hundreds of students made their way inside the ballroom of the DeNaples Center at the University of Scranton, each person looking for the opportunity to give back to their community.

“So, as a Jesuit university, we value ourselves in community relations. We value community service as well,” said Alex Morelli, University of Scranton graduate assistant and event organizer.

The annual Volunteer and Service Fair brings together roughly 700 students to volunteer at more than 60 different area groups and nonprofits.

“Basically what we do is a one-on-one mentoring program so we find bigs, not just the students and the men and the youth, which is our littles we find we match them up with their interests, their likes,” said Carletta Campbell.

She and Myuanna Fitzgerald spent the morning talking with students about the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Fitzgerald went through the program growing up and says the experience can be life-changing on both sides.

“Some people are dealing with bullying at school. They’re not having the best at-home life, so it really gets them out into the community and lets them see that there are more opportunities for them,” said Fitzgerald.

Many students found themselves ready to volunteer for the first time.

“I do need hours for my classes,” said Sophomore Brianna Petrello. “So that’s kind of why I’m here.”

“Last year I really didn’t have the time to actually, like, go in and fully volunteer with what I wanted to do, so this year I’m hoping to get more into, like, actually volunteering, actually putting my time into it,” said Sophomore Maovina Kolodziej.

Others prepared to give their time once again to help and learn about the community they go to school in.

“Even if you’re not Catholic or into anything like that, it’s just a good way to kind of think about someone else and see what other people are going through and kind of see the other parts of the city that, you know, we don’t really see as university students,” said Senior Will Martin.

Whether it’s required or optional, these students are just happy to give back.