Make A Difference Day

Volunteer Efforts of University Students, Staff, Faculty Make A Difference in Bloomington

Students, staff, and faculty of Northwestern Health Sciences University raked the yards of 14 houses for local senior citizens in Bloomington, Minn. The raking event was held in conjunction with National Make a Difference Day, “a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.” This year showed a record number of participants with almost 75 volunteers, including children, spouses, and partners.

"With the large number of participants this year, we hope to increase the number of yards raked to 15 next year," said Kathy Allen, BS, associate dean of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and co-organizer of the event.

The day began with a continental-style breakfast in the cafeteria. At 9 a.m., teams set out to their assigned yards. Each team raked one yard and later joined another team to rake a second yard together. The day ended with a lunch in the cafeteria.