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.<\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s daughter had arranged for Parmeter and other students to be there on Global Youth Service Day. \u201cShe\u2019s going to wake up,\u201d Parmeter said, \u201cand look out her kitchen window to see all of the leaves cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parmeter, a member of UWM\u2019s 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\u2019s Center for Community-Based Learning, Leadership, and Research (CCBLLR), which partnered with Interfaith Older Adult Programs to assist their clients.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love giving back,\u201d said Student Signing Association member Sally Snyder. \u201cWe really only do on-campus events, so it\u2019s great to get out in the community and make it known that we\u2019re here,\u201d Snyder said.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0and Alternative Spring Break.<\/p>\n