Taking a lesson from...Netflix?

In the past couple of years, the latest addiction that so many of us have faced has been our love for instant television streaming. We binge watch our favorite shows, and countdown to when new seasons are released. Whether it’s a nice break from reality, or a way to wind down at the end of the day, Netflix is there for us, always. But what if there was a way to take our love of Netflix, and turn it into something useful? A way we could learn about global issues, industry secrets and the way that our society is changing? All these topics, among many more, are shared in various documentaries on Netflix. I’ve picked a few of the most popular ones to share.

1. Fed Up: It’s no secret that obesity has been a growing issue in the United States. And as our waistlines grow, so do our desires to be healthy and skinny. In this eye-opening documentary, Katie Couric exposes many secrets within the food industry that are keeping America fat. In one shocking segment, she shares that pizza and French fries are considered vegetables in school lunches.
2. Living on One Dollar: In this documentary, four recent college graduates set out on an eight week adventure in Guatemala, where they plan to live on just one dollar a day. They experience extreme poverty and the struggles it brings. More importantly, they learn about the strong community ties that exist in these parts of the world that helped to keep them alive.
3. Blackfish: In this documentary, many of the secrets of Sea World’s past are revealed as former Sea World employees share their experiences in working with killer whales. This documentary gained the most media coverage following its premiere, and served as a catalyst towards change for animal rights.

Maybe after the next season you finish, you can scroll the documentaries section of Netflix and take a look at what it has to offer. You could find yourself learning about a scientific phenomenon, an unexplained occurrence in history, or even the secrets behind what actually feeds our country.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Christina Clemence

Chase for a Cure

Last week PRSSA held a fundraising walk on Temple’s campus to raise money for Fox Cancer Research. Members of PRSSA, PRowl, and the Temple student body as a whole came to the track on Sunday morning to support the cause. With opportunities to win raffle prizes, buy homemade treats, and enjoy a beautiful day to bond with friends, the event was a huge success. In total over 125 students participated and $3,239 was raised.

This walk is one of the many events organized by Temple students every year. Whether it is on campus or off, there are always plenty ways to get involved as a volunteer. Outside of the obvious benefits of raising money for a good cause, there are plenty of other reasons you should put aside some time to do volunteer work.

The first is the importance of getting involved in your community. It only makes sense that you want the place you live to be inclusive, vibrant and safe. Volunteering with causes like Adopt-a-Block directly impacts your community in a positive way.

The second reason to volunteer is that it shows potential employers that you’re well-rounded, caring, and overall want to dedicate your time to something that matters. Volunteer experience is always something important to include, especially if you are new to your major and don’t have a lot on your resume,

The final reason to volunteer is simply because it feels good! Knowing that you’ve made a difference in someone else’s life is a reward in and of itself.

Now that it’s summer, take the time to sign up for a 5K, organize a canned food drive, or anything else you can think of to benefit your community. Or if you’re looking to get creative, you could always look into events like Firefly or Made in America, and gain free admission to these with your volunteering time. Whatever the benefit is, get out there and find something you’re passionate about to be a part, even if that passion is for music festivals.  

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Christina Clemence.