It's a Good Project
An FSU student changes the world one block at a time
by Elizabeth Hannum

When Patrick Dobslaw moved to Tallahassee, he was living on a campground and cooking his meals on a hot plate, unaware of what was in store for his life. Today, Dobslaw is an advertising major at Florida State University and has single-handedly created his own college social and service organization. By taking the curves that life has thrown, Dobslaw has been able to use them to not only change his life but help change others by creating the Good Project.

The Good Project is a group whose mission is to better the city of Tallahassee by bringing together 36 organizations who tackle homelessness, poverty, education, and beautification. Sounds like a big job for the average student, yet Dobslaw takes it in stride.

"We kind of approach it like Swiss cheese. We see a lot of holes in town, and we try to fill in where we think other groups aren't focusing," he says.

From reactions in the community, Dobslaw's group seems to be focusing exactly where it's needed most. More than twice a month, the Good Project rents its own truck and spends time in places like Frenchtown, a financially challenged area, cleaning up litter and debris.

Diana Hanson, executive director of Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful, says, "It's refreshing to find such a committed group willing to take ownership and inspire other college students to make a difference. This is community service at its most unselfish." And what better way to recognize someone who created such an unselfish organization than by awarding Dobslaw the Heart of Gold Award at FSU's Division of Student Affairs Celebration of Service.

"I think there's a genuine difference between volunteering and actually making a difference," Dobslaw says, "It's my intention to whole-heartedly accomplish the latter."

Dobslaw is involved in other good projects as well. He is also the president and founder of the Alliance, a political party intent on making positive differences at FSU, and the co-founder of the FSU Service Council, a group whose goal is to increase and improve the service movement on campus. Dobslaw's plan is to one day turn the Good Project into a non-profit organization, but for now, he'll worry about simply trying to improve his area of the world.

"It may be a cliché statement to say that one wants to change the world, but given the right resources, that's exactly what I want to do," he says.

Contact Dobslaw at pat_dobslaw@goodproject.org, or visit www.goodproject.org.

Copyright © 2006 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved