University of Northern Iowa students are getting ready to make a difference in their community.
Up to 125 student volunteers will be developing a new portion of the campground at Big Woods Lake as part of the 2010 UNI Make a Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 16.
During the event, which is hosted by the Student Leadership Center and the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, students will finalize the signage and clean up the campground to prepare it for use.
Check-in for the event begins at 9 a.m. in Maucker Union, and the program will last until approximately 1 p.m. Volunteers will be provided with free transportation to and from the site as well as free lunch and a T-shirt.
“I think a lot of students on campus want to serve; they just don’t know how,” said Steffoni Smith, graduate assistant for the Student Leadership Center. “They might be uncomfortable going by themselves somewhere, so we’re trying to make this a fun event and show the community that we have this presence in the community and we’re not just staying on our campus, but we want to be out there and involved and make a difference.”
The event is being held in conjunction with National Make a Difference Day, which is on Oct. 23. According to Smith, UNI’s event is being held a week earlier to avoid a conflict with Homecoming weekend.
According to Smith, the event is a good opportunity for students who are unable to participate in Volunteer Tuesdays, weekly events during which the Student Leadership Center provides transportation for students to and from service opportunities.
“(Make a Difference Day is) a great way to get out and serve,” she said. “I know that Volunteer Tuesdays have been going well, but Tuesdays don’t always work with everyone’s schedules, but hopefully they can make it for a Saturday.”
The center’s goal is to have 125 students participate in the event. Students can register individually or in groups online at www.uni.edu/leadershipcenter. Registration will close on Oct. 13.
Contact Steffoni Smith at [email protected] or 273-7422 for more information.
