Campus Connection

Area college students work to ‘Make a Difference’

Students from La Crosse’s three institutions of higher education will head out to nine La Crosse area non-profit agencies for a variety of volunteer projects Saturday, Oct. 13. Up to 125 students from UWL, Viterbo University and Western Technical College are expected to take part in “Make a Difference Day.” Students will gather at the Viterbo University Nursing Center beginning at 9 a.m. to register. They will volunteer from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and then head back to Viterbo for lunch, reflection conversations and prizes. Among the projects they'll work on: Habitat for Humanity home building, Hunger Task Force garden clean up, and Horse Sense for Special Riders, landscaping, painting and track clean-up.

“Make a Difference Day is a great opportunity for students from all three campuses to make new friends, serve their community and learn about some of the community needs.”

The day is an effort to build relationships among the campuses and make a positive impact on the community, says Kelsi Grubisich, UWL Civic Engagement and Leadership Coordinator. “Make a Difference Day is a great opportunity for students from all three campuses to make new friends, serve their community and learn about some of the community needs,” Grubisich explains. “Our hope is that students will learn about their community while finding a passion for serving.” Organizers from the three campuses hope students continue to serve after Make a Difference Day in other ways. They will promote community projects on the UGetConnected website as a way for students to stay connected to the community. “We want students to get connected in the local community and stay connected with civic engagement throughout their lives,” says Colin Burns-Gilbert, Viterbo University Integrated Learning and Programs Coordinator. Get more details and register for the day.