Student group competes for Pepsi Refresh Project grant

A student organization at Grand Valley State University has been chosen to compete for a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Pals Student Mentors, a student organization that mentors at-risk children in Grand Rapids, applied for the $10,000 grant and was chosen out of thousands of applications in the U.S. The top 15 Refresh Ideas with the most votes will be awarded the grant to make a difference in their communities.

Pals volunteer coordinator Courtney Copus said the grant will provide the group with materials to recruit and train competent mentors, sports equipment to promote healthy lifestyles and opportunities for children to participate in educational field trips.

Founded at Grand Valley in 1992, students from Pals Student Mentors have donated thousands of hours to mentoring hundreds of children in Grand Rapids. More than 90 students have volunteered 1,390 hours to 73 children in Grand Rapids so far this year.

Voting is open until November 30. People can vote for Pals Student Mentors once per day at www.refresheverything.com/gvsupals or text the numbers 109350 to 73774.

Learn more about Pals Student Mentors at www.gvsupals.com.