November Membership Newsletter

Recently, members of NSBE-WMAE were active in the National "Make a Difference" Day. Below are what people are saying...

Herald Palladium
October 28, 2001

"'Volunteers spend day improving schools'

By CHUCK TYLER /H-P Correspondent

Volunteers rose to the occasion Saturday even as rain fell across Southwest Michigan on the 11th Annual Make A Difference Day.
Whirlpool Corp., Lakeland Regional Health Systems, UAW Local 383, the National Association of Black Engineers and other organizations teamed up with volunteers to improve the conditions of local schools.
Ruth Lloyd, president of Benton Harbor's Fairplain West Parent-Teacher Organization, said she was proud of the efforts at her school.
"This is an exciting day, especially for those who want to make a difference," she said. "The painting and cleaning of the schools is to make a better environment for the students."
Whirlpool's community relations coordinator Karen Ackerman helped sell doughnuts at the school - as was done at several schools - to raise money to buy playground equipment.
"Until we can buy new stuff, we were going to paint the old," she said.
Painting and other outdoor projects were canceled because of Saturday's rain and cold. Volunteers focused on indoor projects.
Barbara Hall, Whirlpool's programs officer, said Saturday's activities represented the first of three phases designed to improve recess conditions of Benton Harbor elementary and middle schools.
"The students are more excited about being in an environment that's pleasant and bright," she said. "Hopefully, in the spring, we'll be installing the new (playground) equipment."
At Fairplain East, Mark Herman and Brian Jewell were making classrooms more pleasant and bright with fresh coats of paint.
Herman, from Whirlpool's St. Joseph Technical Center, said he felt "really good" about volunteering. "Everybody has been having fun, even the little kids."
Jewell, owner of Jewell's Development and Homes Inc. said he was "glad to be a part of something positive."
Mike Jones said that, "Basically, just to give back to the community" was the reason his participation.
The quality engineer from Holland-based Johnson Controls was part of the National Association of Black Engineers' involvement in Make A Difference Day in Southwest Michigan.
While attending North Carolina A&T University, Jones said it was "our honor society, that's where my community volunteering started."
Jones and Mileeta Baxter were among dozens of volunteers who helped children decorate pumpkins and trick-or-treat bags in the cafeteria.
"I love working with kids," said Baxter, a data entry operator at Whirlpool. "I thought this would be a good opportunity to have fun."
Third grader Jasmine Haynes was having fun at Stewart Elementary School in Stevensville while making items for hospice patients
"We try to volunteer as much as possible," her mother Marilyn said as Jasmine decorated a card to accompany gift baskets for the patients. "It makes me feel wonderful. Anything to participate and help others."
Michelle Wodarczyk volunteered her phone skills, coordinating the collection of baked goods in Stewart Elementary's library.
"We have three families" that Stewart Elementary's volunteer efforts were focused on, she said. 'For two, we'll be tending their homes and raking, and one we'll be giving the baskets.'"



Whirlpool Internal Newsline
11/1/01

"COMMUNITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY DECLARED A SUCCESS

Thanks to everyone who volunteered Saturday, Oct. 27 for the first Community Make a Difference Day at four Benton Harbor Elementary schools.

More than 200 volunteers turned out for the first phase of the project, which was to paint the 40-year old equipment Due to cold weather conditions, volunteers worked indoors instead. Three of the elementary schools had indoor projects for all the volunteers who were present.

Event organizers reported that at Fair Plain East, four classrooms were painted, and at Fair Plain Northeast, eight classrooms and the hallway were painted. Volunteers also cleaned the school's supply closet. At Martindale, volunteers raked leaves, painted wall heaters, bathrooms and the gym. Also at all three locations the National Society of Black Engineers and PTOs helped children decorate pumpkins and trick-or-treat bags for Halloween. Organizers wanted to have something for everyone to come together as a community, to meet new people and get to know each other.

Another Community Make a Difference day will be held next May to paint the playground equipment and install new activity centers at these four schools. Again thanks to very one who volunteered last Saturday. You made a difference! Saturday, Oct. 27 was national Make a Difference Day. Whirlpool Foundation, Whirlpool Corporation, and several other companies and organizations partnered with Benton Harbor Area Schools to work on playground equipment."


Great Job Everyone!