Linfield College students and staff will volunteer their time to serve local non-profits and schools at more than a dozen locations throughout Yamhill County on Saturday, Oct. 23, in celebration of the national day of service, Make A Difference Day.
The event will begin with a kick-off rally at 8 a.m. and students and staff will serve from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The service will benefit organizations including Henderson House, Habitat for Humanity, Rainbow Family Services, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, Yamhill County Commission on Children and Families, Gospel Rescue Mission, Regional Food Bank, McMinnville Community Garden and McMinnville Downtown Association.
At the Yamhill County Gospel Rescue Mission, Linfield volunteers will not only provide the labor to paint a brand-new fence on the property, they will also donate the money to buy the paint. The shelter’s operation manager, Cheryl Blevins, said the project has been needed for a while but without funds, nothing could be done. She is grateful to have students taking time and interest in local non-profits.
Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. It is the largest community service effort in the U.S., prompting educational institutions, corporations, government leaders, charitable organizations and individuals to give back to their community.
The day of service started in 1992 with 70,000 volunteers nationwide. In 2009 more than three million Americans served, including over 100 Linfield community members. Over the years project options have diversified to fit the evolving interests of students.
For more information, contact Lizzie Martinez, student engagement coordinator, at 503-883-2326 or lmartinez@linfield.edu.
