Marquette, UWM collaborate for Make a Difference Day, Nov. 9

Nov. 7, 2024

MILWAUKEE - Student and staff volunteers from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee will serve together on Saturday, Nov. 9, to help older adults across Milwaukee County get their homes ready for winter.

Make a Difference Day is an annual, nationwide event. Locally, the two universities come together with the mission of serving the greater Milwaukee area.

Students, faculty and staff volunteers will visit more than 100 homes of senior adults in Milwaukee County as they prepare their homes for the cold months ahead. Volunteers will participate in various projects, such as raking leaves and other yard work.  

The event is made possible through Marquette and UWM's partnership with Eras Senior Network, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage and support seniors in leading meaningful lives.  

Darryl Anderson, executive director of Eras Senior Network, said that each year, seniors look forward to volunteers from these institutions, and without their help, seniors may try to do the work themselves and risk falls or other medical emergencies.

One-third of older adults live alone, and some are unable to complete the outdoor tasks required as the winter months approach. According to the Milwaukee County Department on Aging Area Plan 2022-2024, the older adult population is anticipated to increase in number and as a percentage of the resident population. 

"We want to live in a world where our aging populations feel a sense of belonging and supported in their overall well-being," said Jess Verdejo, director of the Arrupe Center for Community Service and Social Responsibility at Marquette. "On Make a Difference Day, Marquette can put this belief into action. I'm grateful to our partners at Eras who provide our students with this opportunity to get involved."

Interview opportunities:

Interviews with Make a Difference Day participants, including staff, student volunteers and homeowners are available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at a benefiting home in Milwaukee. For more information on exact locations, contact Verdejo at (253) 370-5688 or [email protected].

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].