Marquette, UWM join forces to help seniors on “Make a Difference Day”

Nov. 5, 2021

Make a Difference DayMILWAUKEE — Student and staff volunteers from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday, Nov. 6, will serve together to help older adults across Milwaukee County to prepare their homes for the winter months.

The effort, co-hosted by the two universities, is part of an annual nationwide event called “Make a Difference Day.”

On Make a Difference Day, organizations join forces in the common mission of serving others.

Student, faculty and staff volunteers will visit more than 100 homes of senior adults in Milwaukee County as they prepare for the winter season ahead. The volunteers will participate in various projects, such as raking leaves and other yard work.

The Make a Difference Day event is also in partnership with Eras Senior Network, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage and support seniors in leading meaningful lives.

Kathy Gale, executive director of Eras, said that each year, seniors look forward to volunteers from these institutions, and without help, seniors may try to do the work themselves and be at risk of injury.

“The hours of service are making an appreciable difference for vulnerable neighbors,” Gale added.

One-third of older adults live alone, and some are unable to complete the outdoor tasks required as the winter months approach. According to the Milwaukee County Department on Aging Area Plan 2019-21, when compared to the state of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County has a higher percentage of people aged 65 and over living alone. 

Make a Difference Day participants will serve outdoors only and are required to wear face masks and practice social distancing to comply with current city and university COVID-19 pandemic health orders.

Interview opportunities

Interviews with Make a Difference Day participants, including staff, student volunteers and homeowners are available from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 6, at a benefitting home in Milwaukee. For more information, including the exact location, contact Zack Garrity, program manager for the Center of Community-Based Learning, Leadership and Research at UWM, at (262) 720-3713 or zgarrity@uwm.edu.

About Shelby Williamson

Shelby Williamson

Shelby is a senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Shelby at (414) 288-6712 or shelby.williamson@marquette.edu