More than 600 students, staff to participate in Make a Difference Day
Released: October 3, 2006
More than 600 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, faculty and staff members will participate in "Make A Difference Day" from 1-4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.
"This year, the mission is to create stronger ties with the community and the campus," said Kim Clarksen, leadership development advisor. "'Make A Difference Day' is an opportunity for students to not just earn their service hours, but to perform meaningful service."
Last year, a number of student organizations at the university employed their services to make "Make A Difference Day" a success. The Public Relations Student Society of America, the American Marketing Association, College Democrats and Phi Kappa Alpha all had their hand in carrying out projects during "Make A Difference Day." This year, more on-campus organizations will take part in the event.
In its second year, "Make A Difference Day" has already exceeded expectations as only 300-400 volunteers were expected to participate. "We had anticipated about the same number as last year, and were pleasantly surprised to see the number of participants this year," said Sandra Scott Duex, associate director of residence life. "I think that this many folks committing a Friday afternoon to better their community is really wonderful."
This year's participants will lend a hand in a number of projects aimed at cleaning the City of Whitewater, and bettering the welfare of the its residents. Volunteers will collect trash along the Cravath Lakefront Park, Tripp Lake, skate park and playground. Volunteers can also expect to help with other miscellaneous projects such as folding garage bags at the City of Whitewater garage.
The cleaning aspect of "Make A Difference Day" will even expand onto the UW-Whitewater campus. Around 90 peer mentors signed up as a group for trash removal on the campus. Others will aid in the cleaning of the athletic field.
Those attending should meet at the Cravath Lakefront Park. Volunteers will be served food and refreshments at 3:30 p.m at the Cravath Lakefront Center. "Make A Difference Day" will proceed barring lightning. If lightning occurs and warrants a cancellation, a campus-wide e-mail will be sent.
- LeQuez Spearman,spearmanlt22@uww.edu
