TAMIU Celebrates Make A Difference Day with Paso del Indio Beautification; Alliance Event

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students will join thousands of others across the country in an effort to help their community during this year’s National Make A Difference Day 2018, Saturday, Oct. 27.

This year, students will beautify the Paso Del Indio Nature Trail at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.  Trail beautification will include covering the trail with mulch, removing brush and planting native plants, as well as organic vegetable gardens.

Since 2010, TAMIU students have worked on various community-wide projects benefiting groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Volunteers Serving the Need, the Laredo Animal Care Facility, the Azteca Neighborhood and many more.

In keeping with the spirit of community service and serving the needs of its community, the University hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by members of ‘Partnership TAMIU: An Alliance for Good.’ 

Alliance members include the Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County, Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, the Mexican Cultural Institute of Laredo, NeighborWorks Laredo, Voz de Niños and Workforce Solutions for South Texas.

This year, the Alliance added its newest partners Casa de Misericordia, Diocese of Laredo, Las Promesas de Laredo, People with Ideas of Love, Liberty, Acceptance and Respect (PILLAR), Rio Grande International Study Center and Special Olympics Texas.

San Juanita Guerra, associate director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement noted the commitment of the University’s students to consistently make a meaningful, positive impact in their community. 

“Our Dustdevils live by the University’s four core values of respect, integrity, service and excellence.  Make a Difference Day is a vital component of our third core value: service,” Guerra explained, “Students, faculty, and staff are always giving back to the community and making a long-lasting and impactful change. Making a difference and being of service to others is of great importance to every member of our TAMIU family.”

Organized through the University’s Student Government Association L.O.V.E (Leaders Organizing Volunteer Events) committee and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, several events leading up to Make a Difference Day is scheduled.

Make a Difference Week 2018 activities include:

• Monday, Oct. 22 – Friday, Oct. 26: Global Medical Brigades Donation Drive - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Rotunda and Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall and Pellegrino Hall breezeway.
• Monday, Oct. 22 and Tuesday, Oct. 23: South Texas Blood Drive - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Student Center Rotunda
• Wednesday, Oct. 24: ‘Respect the Sign’ pledge - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall and Pellegrino Hall breezeway
• Thursday, Oct. 25: TAMIU Spirit Day - 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall and Pellegrino Hall breezeway
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Make a Difference Day 2018 – 7 a.m. – noon, Paso Del Indio Nature Trail, Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, 1 West End Washington St.    

For additional information on Make a Difference Week or Make a Difference Day 2018, contact Guerra at 956.326.2948 or email at sanjuanita.guerra@tamiu.edu.

‘Partnership TAMIU: An Alliance for Good' members and Texas A&M International University Student Government Association members, faculty and staff.