From turning old T-shirts into toys for shelter dogs to planting a native garden, Our Lady of the Lake University’s Make A Difference Week offers Saints opportunities to care for their neighbors—and the environment—Oct. 19–24.
Coordinated by the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism (CSLV), the week combines donation drives, creative projects and hands-on service reflecting OLLU’s core values of community and service. Last year, 70 participants took part in the university’s activities. This year, organizers hope more than 100 Saints will get involved.
“Service is a part of the fabric and everyday life of this University,” said Dr. Jesse Harasta, director of the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism. “But sometimes having a special week to call out service helps us remember and refresh our commitment to service.”
OLLU’s observance expands on the spirit of national Make A Difference Day, which falls on Oct. 24 this year. Established in 1992, the initiative encourages volunteers of all ages to address community needs. Its national reach has included three million volunteers participating in the 2011 observance, according to Points of Light.
At OLLU, that spirit means responding to needs close to campus. Harasta noted that the university’s understanding of community includes children at the neighboring school, people needing warm clothing or food, and the ecological community surrounding campus.
Donate Throughout the Week
Saints can contribute through three collection efforts:
- Nonperishable food: Canned and dried foods will be collected Monday–Saturday for a West Side food pantry. Drop-off locations include Lakeview, Main Building, Saints Café, Worden Building and Sueltenfuss Library.
- Books and clothing: Items in good condition will be accepted Monday–Wednesday at the CSLV office in Worden 23 for Wednesday’s swap.
- T-shirts: Clean T-shirts in any condition will be accepted Monday–Friday at Worden 23 for the shelter dog toy-making project.
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Share Resources and Creativity
Kappa Delta Chi will sponsor a Book and Clothing Swap from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in Renaissance Parlor. Participants can bring a book or piece of clothing and exchange it for another item. Remaining donations will support public library book sales or a local clothing closet. No registration is required.
OLLU art students will also join Artist-in-Residence Triz Rodríguez to teach children at the neighboring elementary school spray-paint mural techniques in preparation for a larger project in November.
Thursday, Oct. 22: Explore Nature and Support School Neighbors
A Pollinator BioBlitz from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Elmendorf Lake Park will invite students to use the iNaturalist app to document pollinator species. Presented with TExAS FAST and the Math and Science Department, the activity supports a statewide Texas Parks and Wildlife program. Participants will meet at the gate behind Metz Hall, alongside Casa Caritas.
Later, student volunteers will help operate booths at the neighboring elementary school’s Muertitos Fest from 4–7 p.m., with setup beginning at 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23: Give Old T-Shirts a New Purpose
Delta Xi Nu will sponsor Toy Making for Shelter Dogs from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in Renaissance Parlor. Volunteers will cut and transform donated T-shirts into pull toys for shelter dogs in partnership with Pets Alive. No registration is required.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Help Establish the St. Francis Garden
The week concludes with Service Saturday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the St. Francis Garden, behind the softball field near Elmendorf Lake Park. Volunteers will transplant native plants, spread mulch and prepare the grounds to help establish the new native garden.
For registration information for the BioBlitz, Muertitos Fest or Service Saturday, contact the CSLV at cslv@ollusa.edu or visit Worden 23.