Last weekend around 300 Berry College students volunteered in the Rome community as a part of "Make a Difference Day," one of the largest annual days of giving in the country.
"Make a Difference Day" is an opportunity for Berry students to become engaged by volunteering at sites ranging from elementary schools to the Chiaha Arts Festival. Berry is among an estimated three-million volunteers participating across the country, according to USA Today. Berry junior Sydney Hulebak is assistant director of Campus Community Relations at Berry College Volunteer Services and said her group has participated in the day of service since 1995. She added that the project is an important part of Berry's community involvement.
"When we were out there playing with those kids, they were just so stoked that we were there to hang out with them…It is important for this community to know that we care about them, and this is a cool way to show it." Hulebak said.
Many clubs and organizations on campus were part of the project including the Vikettes dance team, the Berry Club Soccer team, and some individual volunteers as well. At Main Elementary School, the Berry Club Soccer team played with the kids during recess and taught them some moves. Sophomore Austin Mansour is a member of the team and said that the kids motivated the team to help further.
"Going to Main Elementary and playing soccer with the students was incredible, and it inspired us to do more. We have a plan for the near future to raise money in order to buy them sports equipment. We cannot wait to go back and play soccer with the kids again." Mansour said.
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Written and photographed by Student Public Relations Assistant Blake Childers