Make A Difference Day

Make A Difference Day is an annual day of service where students are transported to local community non-profits to participate in service activities. Service activities range from cleaning up the properties to helping in senior homes.

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Make a Difference Day 2024 Community Partner Interest Form

This is the community partner interest form for this year's Make a Difference Day, which will be held on October 12, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you already have an idea for what your service project will be for the event, we encourage you to share with us what it is in the bottom section, but it is not required at this time. Make A Difference Day is an annual day of service where students are transported to local community non-profits to participate in service activities. Service activities range from cleaning up the properties to helping in senior homes.

* denotes a required field

Community Partner Contact Information

Community Partner Name *

Name of person who will communicate with the Office of Student Life *

Contact Email *

Contact Phone Number *

Make a Difference Day Service Project

If you have a service project already in mind for Make a Difference Day, please leave a description.

Human Verification *

Make a Difference Day 2024 Phase-I Student Registration Form

This form is for those who are interested in registering to volunteer for Make Difference Day on October 12. Below is a list of the organizations hosting volunteer sites that you will be able to choose from. Please be mindful that spots are limited for each volunteer site and once they are full, you won't be able to register for those sites. If you are registering as a group, each individual must complete their registration separately and select the same site. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that all members of your group will secure spots in the same activity, as availability operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

SECOM Resource Center : Volunteers will be assisting with pantry recipients shop for groceries, stocking pantry shelves and cleaning. should bring an extra layer of clothes in case they work in the walk-in freezer. (Volunteer capacity: 5)

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin: Volunteers will participate in a variety of activities in an effort to help clean up around the camp property, such splitting wood, painting/staining, raking, etc. This site is outdoors, so dress appropriately. (Volunteer capacity: 30)

Unknown Nations/Legacy Thrift store: Volunteers will be doing a variety of things that may include light housekeeping duties like washing windows, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, etc. Also they may be pulling old inventory from the clothing racks and/or replacing it with new. (Volunteer capacity: 5)

Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan: The volunteers will be leading fall themed games/crafts as well as helping people with Down syndrome and their siblings/families participate in the games and crafts. There will be something for all abilities and there is no special equipment. (Volunteer capacity: 15)

Ottawa County Parks and Recreation: Volunteers will be collecting native plant seeds. No experience is required, staff will be on site to provide instructions and assist with plant identification. All equipment needed will be provided. Volunteers should wear long pants and closed toe shoes and come dressed for working outdoors. (Volunteer capacity: 30)

AYA Youth Collective: Volunteers will be making sandwiches, snack bags, and cleaning. (Volunteer capacity: 10)

Women at Risk International: Volunteers will be doing a variety of tasks from counting, sorting, tagging, bagging and pricing items. (Volunteer capacity: 10)

John Ball Area Neighborhood Association: Students would be put into 2 groups of each eight, one group to make yard signs for future events, second group will be painting picnic tables, digging out designer grass clumps. (Volunteer capacity: 20)

Safe Haven Ministries: washing windows, possibly adding some mulch to gardens. weather permitting. Indoor: Putting training materials together, Cleaning out kitchen cupboards. (Volunteer capacity: 4)

There are 115 of 129 registrations available.

* denotes a required field

Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *
Please enter a GVSU email address ending in @gvsu.edu or @mail.gvsu.edu.

Phone Number *

Site Selection

Choose your preferred site: *

Preferences

Do you have any dietary restrictions *

Are you registering with a student group or class? *

Site Leader

Site Leaders are an important part of Make a Difference Day as they lead participants through volunteer activities and reflection activities. They also serve as an important point of contact for our site supervisors and our office in the case of any issues or emergencies. It is a great opportunity gain valuable leadership experience.

Would you be interested in becoming a site leader? *

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact First Name *

Emergency Contact Last Name *

Emergency Contact Phone Number *

Liability Agreements

Are you under 18? *
Yes
No

Photo Release: I give Grand Valley permission to use photos taken of me while volunteering for promotional purposes in Grand Valley newsletter, mailings, and/or website. Do you agree with the previous statement? *

Behavioral Contract

I understand that as a member of the GVSU community, I will conduct myself in a professional, safe manner during the program and will strive to represent well Grand Valley State University. I understand that this program is a privilege that will be immediately revoked if I violate any of the following standards:

I will travel with my group at all times and will not venture out by myself.
I will arrive on time to all designated travel departures, and I understand I may have to seek alternative transportation at my own expense if I am not present at departure time.
I will abide by all Grand Valley State University policies, conduct rules, and laws of the land at the service location. I understand that any violation of the above standards will cause an immediate trip back to GVSU at my expense.

Travel Release Statement Assumption of Risk and Release for Off Campus Activities

RELEASE EXECUTED by the undersigned to Grand Valley State University, One Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in a voluntary activity that will involve travel off campus grounds offered through Grand Valley State University, I the undersigned, in full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and hazards inherent to participating in this activity/program to which I may be exposed during my enrollment and/or participation in this activity/program, do hereby agree to assume all the risks and responsibilities surrounding my participation in this activity/program or any independent activities undertaken as an adjunct thereto; and further, I do for myself, my heirs, and personal representative(s) hereby defend, hold harmless, indemnify, and release, and forever discharge and all its officers, agents and employees from and against and all claims, demands, and actions, or causes of action, on account of damage to personal property, or personal injury, or death which may result from my participation, and which result from causes beyond the control of, and without the fault or negligence of Grand Valley State University, its officers, agents, or employees, during the period of my participation as aforesaid.

Do you agree to the above statements? *

Please sign below if you agree.

Human Verification *