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Posted: 10/16/14

TAMIU Kicks Off ‘Make A Difference Day’ Monday, Oct. 20

 

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Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and seven local community and humanitarian service agencies will sign a historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Monday, Oct. 20 establishing service opportunities aiding the agencies and enhancing student learning and development.

The signing will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center Rotunda and will kick off TAMIU’s week-long celebration of Make a Difference Day, a nationwide effort to unite people in one day of service to make a difference in their communities.

Partners signing the MOU Monday include the South Texas Food Bank, Children’s Advocacy Center, Volunteers Serving the Need, SCAN, Azteca Economic Development and Preservation, Voz de Niños, and the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center.

Mayra Hernández, TAMIU Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement director, said the MOA encourages students to direct positive social change.

“Our goal is to create a movement towards positive social change and prepare our students to be effective leaders, responsible constituents and serve their community,” Hernández said.

The Agreement will allow TAMIU students to connect their academic goals to their professional ones through practical skills gained during service opportunities at the partner agencies, Hernández said.

For its part, TAMIU will help train the partner agencies in volunteer recruitment, training and retention as well as about laws and regulations pertaining to working with volunteers, Hernández said, adding that the University will serve as a knowledge base and resource for agencies.

“Service is at the core of what we do as a University and we are thankful for our partners’ and community’s continued support of TAMIU,” Hernández said.

Since 2010, TAMIU students have volunteered a total of 53,889 hours in the community, representing a monetary impact of $1.18 million dollars, Hernández said.

As part of the Make a Difference Day Celebration, local agencies will promote their services and activities among TAMIU students throughout the week on campus, Hernández said,

On Saturday, Oct. 25, TAMIU student volunteers will help re-energize the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center. Volunteers will paint the Kid’s Therapy Room, wash playground walls, clean and paint the garden area and provide shelving for equipment in the Adult Therapy Wing, Hernández said.

The week’s other activities include:

* Monday, Oct. 20, from 12 – 2 p.m., Student Center Rotunda – Partnership Booth - Partnership with Azteca Economic Development to promote financial literacy and economic sustainability.

* Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Rotunda – Inspire a Child – Partnership with Voz de Niños, Webb County Children’s Advocacy Center and SCAN to create inspirational cards to motive youth and promote higher education.

* Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Patio – TAMIU Fights Hunger – Partnership with South Texas Food Bank to promote the local and national endeavor to end hunger.

* Thursday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Rotunda - Barter for Better Drive and Trade – Partnership with Volunteers Serving the Need to collect and trade goods for 500 local military families.

* Saturday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Make a Difference at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center.

For more information, please contact Hernández at 326.2288, e-mail mghernandez@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the TAMIU Student Center, room 226D.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu