The 95-year-old woman who lived at the Milwaukee house was in for a Saturday-morning surprise. Because UWM student Zoe Parmeter was busy outside doing yardwork with a cadre of rake-wielding volunteers.
The woman’s daughter had arranged for Parmeter and other students to be there on Global Youth Service Day. “She’s going to wake up,” Parmeter said, “and look out her kitchen window to see all of the leaves cleaned up.”
Parmeter, a member of UWM’s Student Signing Association, was one of 300 UWM students, alumni, faculty and staff who volunteered their time Saturday, April 16. They helped clean up neighborhoods and assist older adults with spring yardwork, clearing garden beds and caring for patios. It was all organized through UWM’s Center for Community-Based Learning, Leadership, and Research (CCBLLR), which partnered with Interfaith Older Adult Programs to assist their clients.
Volunteers helped out at 80 homes in many Milwaukee neighborhoods within a 20-minute radius of UWM. In addition to the Student Signing Association, other UWM groups participating included the Student Association, Circle K and Health Professions. Many people unattached to a specific organization also volunteered their time.
“I love giving back,” said Student Signing Association member Sally Snyder. “We really only do on-campus events, so it’s great to get out in the community and make it known that we’re here,” Snyder said.
CCBLLR partnered with BOSS to transport volunteers to their work locations. Other annual service events CCBLLR coordinates include Make a Difference Day, the MLK Day of Service and Alternative Spring Break.
Also, the UWM Alumni Association is in the midst of its Alumni Community Engagement Week of Service. Several alumni helped out with Global Youth Service Day, and more will volunteer on Saturday, April 23, for the Earth Day of Service Festival at Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center.
