Make a Difference Day is October 27, when volunteers will be transported all over the Grand Rapids area and given various opportunities to serve the community from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join a legion of Lakers in working with several local nonprofit agencies right here in West Michigan.

On that day, GVSU’s Community Service Learning Center will be participating in Make a Difference Day, a national holiday now in its 26th year where people from around the country take the initiative and volunteer. It is the nation’s largest day of community service.

There’s nothing more rewarding than giving back to our community. When past volunteer (Natalie Loewengruber) was asked about her experience with Make a Difference Day, she said, “...I enjoyed the experience coming together with eight strangers, and I felt like I left with eight friends.”

This is a unique and convenient opportunity for Lakers to donate their time to make the world a better place, starting with the community we live in. In addition to giving back and creating a healthier, happier, more unified space, volunteering gives you a chance to meet new friends and connect with people who share a passion for helping others. As an added bonus, you get a free lunch, a free t-shirt, and the event is LIB 100/201 approved. Students from Grand Valley have been participating in Make a Difference Day for over 15 years, and this year is your opportunity to spread the Laker Effect to the local community.

Ready to get started? Check out the Community Service Learning Center’s Make a Difference Day webpage. Make sure to register before October 23 or you may not be able to participate! If you are looking for more ways to volunteer be sure to check the rest of the CSLC website for plenty of other volunteer opportunities or email them at [email protected].