Sinclair Community College, founded on the credo of “Find a Need and Endeavor to Meet It” decided to keep their 2004 theme, “Community Is Our Middle Name” as the theme for their 2005 Make a Difference Day. Over 60 invitations to submit a Make a Difference Day project were sent to Sinclair’s Service Learning community agencies and to other interested sites. The resulting 22 projects represented the wide range of needs and diversity of our community. Projects included: in door and outdoor cleaning and repairs for older impaired citizens: hosting a Halloween and pumpkin carving party for mentally challenged adults; neighborhood cleanups; preparing packets for a Domestic Violence Prevention conference; a Science and Spanish module presentations to thirty K-5 children, and preparing and cleaning up after serving a luncheon to 175 needy citizens. Two of the projects raised money for 2 worthy causes: cancer research (collectively- $215,000), and St. Vincent-overnight homeless shelter ($963). In addition the proposal writing workshop conducted by Neil and Karla from SCC's Grants office, expanded the potential for additional fund raising for 6 nonprofit organizations. The 350 participants included students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, friends and Service Learning students. Although most of the projects occurred 9AM –12noon, a few projects occurred in the afternoon and evening hours of October 22, 2005. In addition to working on the service projects, students were given a leadership opportunity by being a project Team Leader. Each student Team Leader received the support and guidance of a faculty or staff mentor. Team Leaders contacted each of their team members, made sure all members signed a release form, distributed additional project information and conducted a reflection time at the service site.
Sinclair’s Make a Difference Day Kick Off started at 8AM, October 22nd, with a light breakfast, the showing of the Make a Difference Day video and a welcome by the City of
What we did will have long-term impact because:
- Sinclair participants having experienced the joy of giving to their community, will continue participating in this annual and similar events in their college and neighborhood communities
- The in door and out door cleanup including painting and landscaping will benefit for years the appearance of the individual home and the surrounding neighborhood
- The eradication of honey suckle at two of the sites will allow growth of indigenous plants and make the parks more usable and inviting for thousands of citizens for many years.
- The money raised through the 2 fundraising efforts will provide benefits for years to the homeless and individuals fighting cancer
- The impact of the students presenting the Science and Spanish modules for the 30 K-5 children from very low income homes is difficult to measure, but the 1:1 interaction with college students, in addition to the fun and educational presentations will be remembered by all involved for a very long time if not for their lifetime.
THANK YOU!
