Raking leaves, painting basements and playing games with nursing home residents are on the agenda for this year’s Make a Difference Day, where West Virginia University students and community residents will come together to help others.

On Saturday (Oct. 30), the WVU Center for Civic Engagement will partner with the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties to complete service projects all over the region. This is the eighth year that WVU students and employees will participate in one of America’s largest days of volunteering.

Lunch from the Boston Beanery and a free giveaway will be provided to all volunteers. The event will be held from 12-4 p.m.

“This event is a great opportunity for student organizations and groups to volunteer together and really make a difference in the community,” said Brett White, special events coordinator for the center.

This year’s projects include:

• a community Halloween party at Scott’s Run Settlement House
• an assembly at the Brain Under Construction Zone
• game day with the residents of the Sundale Nursing Home
• clean, organize and help with various tasks for The Salvation Army
• paint, clean and build projects for Mountaineer Wellness
• create home safety and fire prevention bags for the American Red Cross
• round up leaves and landscape for the Old Hemlock Foundation
• striping bikes and cleaning for the Positive Spin organization
• painting the basement of the Caritas House

Last year, more than 300 volunteers mobilized on Make a Difference Day and helped make a tangible difference in the community, White said.

“It has become the largest service event on our campus,” he said. “We are thrilled to have so many diverse student organizations and students involved. We are looking forward to a great day.”

Currently, more than 24 different WVU student organizations and 350 volunteers are registered to participate in the efforts this year. WVU students who participate receive volunteer hours.

For more information, visit http://cce.wvu.edu or call 304-293-8761.

-WVU-

mm/10/26/10

CONTACT: Brett White, Center for Civic Engagement
304-293-8761, brett.white@mail.wvu.edu