Helping Make an Environmental Difference

Fall 2012 -

This past Saturday, Nov. 3, the Miami University community came together with the greater Oxford community to take part in a day of mutual appreciation through the activities and efforts of the 22nd annual Make A Difference Day.

Sponsored yearly by the Honors and Scholars Advisory Board (HSAB), Make A Difference Day is a national day of service for which college campuses, towns, cities, and non-profit organizations across the country organize and take part. For Miami’s event, many campus organizations, teams and Greek life signed up to help out with various jobs and volunteer tasks throughout Oxford. Local restaurants throughout Uptown sponsored food for participants throughout the day, beginning with free pizza to start off the day at 10 a.m., with volunteer activities wrapping up around 3 p.m. Miami students helped sort and organize inventory at Oxford Food Pantry, cleaned and did some housekeeping for Living Water Ministries, as well as helped out various elderly citizens around town with household and yard duties.

One of the biggest draws for volunteer help this year was Hueston Woods State Park. Volunteers helped in many aspects throughout the park including with trail clean-up and maintenance, trash pickup throughout trails and along the beach, as well as raking leaves. By assisting park staff in maintenance and care of the park, Miami students were able to support an important environmental resource in Butler County, one that provides not only recreation but also important wildlife protection and environmental education programs.

Participation in Make A Difference Day not only aids organizations and members of the community with a helping hand, it also provides ample opportunity for Miami student organizations to make their names known throughout Oxford in a positive and constructive way, strengthening the “town and gown” relationship, an important aspect in such a small and close knit community as Oxford.

The Honors and Scholars Advisory Board and the Miami Honors Program looks forward to continuing this annual tradition for many years to come with the commitment and enthusiasm Miami’s student organizations show to engaging in service and giving back to their community.