TAMIU Volunteers to Paint Trails, Beautify Slaughter Park for Make A Difference Day
Now in its 14th year, Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Make A Difference Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Slaughter Park.
Over 400+ students, faculty and staff members are currently registered to volunteer for the annual service event. Individuals can still register to volunteer by visiting https://forms.gle/RNnwPQQbGGHNLtQY9.
Volunteers will be working on two major projects that day. First, volunteers will focus on painting two trails at the park to identify which trails park visitors use. The paint is supplied through the City of Laredo’s Environmental Department’s Reusable Paint Program.
A second focus will be on placing recycled, crushed glass on the ground near the park’s entrance. The recycled glass will act as colorful décor and protect the soil from the heat. Thus far, students have worked to collect glass that is sent to the City of Laredo’s Environmental Department for compression into small, dull shards.
Additional activities include park beautification efforts like trimming branches, painting trash cans, debris pickup, and painting a new hopscotch area.
Organized through TAMIU’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, the event involves the efforts of the University’s Student Government Association (SGA) L.O.V.E. Committee, the City of Laredo Solid Waste Department through its Environmental Services, Keep Laredo Beautiful, and ARCA Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. Additional stewardship support comes from Parks and Recreation Services and City Council Representative District 8, Alyssa Cigarroa.
Leading student efforts are SGA L.O.V.E. Committee Chairs Ana Alvarado, Emrys García, and Angelica Gavilanes.
The University’s Make a Difference Day has established itself as a long-standing tradition aimed at harnessing the collective efforts of the campus community to spearhead a community-wide improvement initiative.
Since 2010, University volunteers 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, the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, and many more.
For additional information, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement at 956.326.2265, or visit offices in the Student Center, room 226.
To learn more about past Make a Difference Day projects, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/scce/madandtbe.shtml.
Additional University information is online at tamiu.edu and via TAMIU social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
