2008 Woodie Awards
Students pitch in for national day of service
Maiko Michishita
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Students have opportunities to volunteer for off-campus agencies around the community on Make a Difference Day 2007 on Saturday, Oct 20.
Make a Difference Day is a national day of service across the country. The UA's branch is coordinated by the Volunteer Action Center on campus. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 15. Students can register online.
Students will "meet new people, experience new things and expose themselves to something that they would probably never have been exposed to before," said Chamika L. Ellis, an advisor for the Volunteer Action Center.
By volunteering, students might realize that they take many ordinary things for granted because they tend to think "oh gosh, my life is over," Ellis said. "But somebody is out there who is much worse than us. They also get the experience of contributing themselves to others and getting a good feeling from helping others in need."
"Hopefully, this will spark something in their head like 'Hey, I really want to do this more consistently,'" Ellis said.
MADD was created by USA Weekend magazine and the Points of Light Foundation, according to the MADD Web site. It is an annual event held on the fourth Saturday of October.
Because of the football game, the UA will hold MADD on Oct. 20, one week before its usual date.
"Students are not only a part of Make A Difference Day at the UA, but contributing to MADD across the country. That's a big thing," Ellis said.
The UA has participated in MADD since 1993. This year is the 14th in the series, Ellis said. Last year, more than 400 students participated in MADD and volunteered for about 30 agencies.
Students will have orientations on Oct. 16 and 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Arkansas Union Theatre. They will meet their volunteer leaders, get specific information and talk about transportation, Ellis said.
Kenyon Lowe, a senior who has been a team leader in MADD for the last two years, said volunteer work is a way to give back to the community.
"In a world where leaders come a dime a dozen, the only way to stand out is to be an active leader and volunteering your time to truly make a difference in our community," Lowe said. "Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty or work up a sweat, because you never know who's watching."
The Volunteer Action Center helps put things together for students not only for MADD, but also other opportunities.
"Most people do not know who actually helps plan MADD on campus," Ellis said. "They worked very diligently and very hard to make sure that MADD is the best way for students to volunteer."
MADD is only a one-day event, but the Volunteer Action Center provides students with more ways to continue volunteering. "It should be the beginning of their ongoing commitment to the community," Ellis said.
"Every little thing that students do may have huge impact," Ellis said. "Just go to the Web site and sign up."
Make a Difference Day is a national day of service across the country. The UA's branch is coordinated by the Volunteer Action Center on campus. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 15. Students can register online.
Students will "meet new people, experience new things and expose themselves to something that they would probably never have been exposed to before," said Chamika L. Ellis, an advisor for the Volunteer Action Center.
By volunteering, students might realize that they take many ordinary things for granted because they tend to think "oh gosh, my life is over," Ellis said. "But somebody is out there who is much worse than us. They also get the experience of contributing themselves to others and getting a good feeling from helping others in need."
"Hopefully, this will spark something in their head like 'Hey, I really want to do this more consistently,'" Ellis said.
MADD was created by USA Weekend magazine and the Points of Light Foundation, according to the MADD Web site. It is an annual event held on the fourth Saturday of October.
Because of the football game, the UA will hold MADD on Oct. 20, one week before its usual date.
"Students are not only a part of Make A Difference Day at the UA, but contributing to MADD across the country. That's a big thing," Ellis said.
The UA has participated in MADD since 1993. This year is the 14th in the series, Ellis said. Last year, more than 400 students participated in MADD and volunteered for about 30 agencies.
Students will have orientations on Oct. 16 and 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Arkansas Union Theatre. They will meet their volunteer leaders, get specific information and talk about transportation, Ellis said.
Kenyon Lowe, a senior who has been a team leader in MADD for the last two years, said volunteer work is a way to give back to the community.
"In a world where leaders come a dime a dozen, the only way to stand out is to be an active leader and volunteering your time to truly make a difference in our community," Lowe said. "Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty or work up a sweat, because you never know who's watching."
The Volunteer Action Center helps put things together for students not only for MADD, but also other opportunities.
"Most people do not know who actually helps plan MADD on campus," Ellis said. "They worked very diligently and very hard to make sure that MADD is the best way for students to volunteer."
MADD is only a one-day event, but the Volunteer Action Center provides students with more ways to continue volunteering. "It should be the beginning of their ongoing commitment to the community," Ellis said.
"Every little thing that students do may have huge impact," Ellis said. "Just go to the Web site and sign up."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Scott Kohlhaas
posted 10/08/07 @ 2:03 AM CST
As long as the service is voluntary, that's fine. I get worried about national service organizations becoming mandatory. Some states require "volunteer service" to graduate. (Continued…)
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