NEWS: Make a mark at Make a Difference Day
By Andre Solis
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
More than 600 TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni, are expected to volunteer for this year’s Make a Difference Day. The more-than-a-decade-old event is one of the University’s biggest each year.
Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, at Las Palmas Nature Trail and the Azteca neighborhood, it focuses on giving back to Laredo. Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement Program Manager and SGA LOVE Committee adviser Priscilla Cadena said she was excited by the variety of participation.
With the support from partners such as Keep Laredo Beautiful, the Laredo Rotary Club and the LOVE Committee chairwomen, Make a Difference Day offers the campus an opportunity to give back, earn community service hours, and acquire skills and connections to prepare participants for their future.
“Seeing the whole TAMIU community out,” Cadena said. “That’s what excited me. Like, ‘Wow! This is something I always want to be a part of.’”
The event commences with an on-campus pre-rally, where volunteers will check in, receive a free T-shirt, an emergency bracelet and a small breakfast before traveling to the event site by bus, provided by TAMIU Housing and Residence Life in collaboration with LISD.
“We used to have Dr. Arenaz give a speech to kick us off,” Cadena said. “[He] was the only president to really go out to show face in support of these projects, so we’re truly grateful for him, and we’ll be missing him.”
Volunteers may also check in on-site where they can partake in activities, such as clearing debris from the park trails, picking up trash and painting the homes in the Azteca neighborhood. Birdhouse-building and pebble-painting activities are also planned for younger volunteers.
“This is a good opportunity also for students who are from out of town to … see a little bit more of what Laredo has to offer,” Cadena said. “Being inside the trails, you look like you’re in a different area of the world.”
The event concludes with a lunch celebration—food provided by partners such as Coca-Cola and local coffeehouse 7 Brew.