Make A Difference Day

From left to right:  U of E student Ashleigh Helbert, Altrusan Eileen Will, U of E student Kelly Andres, Altrusan Nita Voorhees, U of E student Jessica Braam, Altrusan Donna Feagley, Altrusan Ruth Willis, Activities Director Michael Garris, U of E student Katy Von Der Heide, U of E student Colleen Vonalt, U of E student Meghan Becker

Make A Difference Day

Altrusa and University of Evansville students teamed up on national Make A Difference Day for an activity at Hillcrest Washington Youth Home.  Although the two groups are very different, Make A Difference Day brought them together.

In addition to time with the children, Altrusa and the college students  provided an activity to encourage the idea of “paying it forward.”  This small yet important project benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Evansville.

Nita Voorhees, Altrusa’s Community Service Committee co-chair, says Altrusa also delivered twenty-nine books in several genres.  “I always have suggestions of author or titles from (Hillcrest) Activities Director, Michael Garris and help from the lady in the teen section at Barnes & Noble.”  Altrusa donated fleece blankets and a gift bag containing personal care items.

Garris noted that the youth at Hillcrest look forward to the new books, the visiting and the ‘pay it forward project’.  “Our kids have big hearts.  They want to show you what they do.  It’s almost as if they need feedback—is this okay?  It’s just that recognition really – that they are valued, that their views are valued.”  

Garris also mentioned that many kids at Hillcrest are wondering about their own future, so having college students around is a real treat.   They are curious about the college students and ask questions. 

 “I heard about Make A Difference Day in a meeting for Sigma Alpha Iota, UE's professional women's music fraternity” said Katy Von Der Heide, one of six U of E student volunteers, about the upcoming Hillcrest event.  “I know that I have been blessed with everything that I have, and I really believe that it is my duty to help everyone that is not so fortunate”

Garris has seen a lot of changes at Hillcrest over the years. He remembered that Twenty eight years ago kids came in through DCS (Department of Children’s Services). Now, if a child is not delinquent, DCS will put them in foster care.  Today Hillcrest houses mostly delinquency situations. “This means most likely a child at Hillcrest has been brought before the court and found guilty of some kind of criminal mischief whether it be truancy or running away from home.” 

Hillcrest Washington Youth home works to provide a safe nurturing environment.  They are not a “locked” facility meaning the kids are able to come and go.  For safety reasons, outsiders cannot get in unless they are on a visitors list.  This Youth Home covers anger management, bullying, cyber bullying, studying for classes, the importance of attending school, as well as drug and alcohol related issues.  The goal is to get these children to return to their families and become productive members of society. 

USA Weekend Magazine and Hands On Network established Make A Difference Day in 1990 as a day to “love your neighbor.”  Any group may take part in “Make A Difference Day” as long as it performs a volunteer project that helps others. Altrusa is an international organization and impacts millions of people around the world.  For twelve years all the clubs have joined together on the fourth Saturday of October, to Make A Difference and to combat illiteracy.