Michigan Journal

Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Raechel Matyas

Media Credit: Raechel Matyas

This past spring break, something extraordinary happened at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Friendships were made, leaders were strengthened, buildings were mended and lives were changed.

Volunteers, some traveling from as far as California, Florida and Canada, came together to spread hope and their services to the Detroit community.

Although they were only here for a week, the impressions they made - and the ones made on them - will last for a lifetime.

Volunteers were divided into five teams, each focusing on a different community project.

Teams were sent to the Ray West Memorial Ramp Project, Habitat for Humanity, Lighthouse PATH, Franklin Wright Center and Vista Maria.

At the Franklin Wright Center, volunteers fixed up a bowling alley and painted a gym. A representative from the center said that they had estimated repair costs at the gym would have been $9,000, taken five painters, and lasted two weeks.

Volunteers completed the project in a few days for free.

At the Ray West Memorial Ramp Project, the story was a similar one of gratefulness and sucess. "We have our fair share of problems…you helped fix them. You came here to help our community," said project coordinator Bill Helwig, speaking to volunteers.

Helwig said there are over 300 people on the waiting list for a ramp, and some wait three or four years to get out of their house.

"You're going to remember that you made a difference in somebody's life this week and you're going to keep doing that," he told volunteers.

"This is the first time I've volunteered on a scale this large. It showed me the true impact this had on the community," said UM-D student volunteer Haydar Ali.

The week was chronicled by the volunteers' own voices, through video blogs and writings.

UM-D's Campus Video Network was recruited to document the event and manage the video blogs.

"We filmed all day and edited all night," said CVN member Julian Edgar.

"We made teams, sent them out to the sites, and filmed everything," added CVN Associate Producer Andrew Nowak. "The finished product came out great."

CVN said it showcased a different work site every day, and created a 15-minute overview video of the entire week that was given to all participants.

"This was also a time for us, as an organization, to step it up a level. We worked really hard to do a good job, and I think the final footage shows what we can do when given the time and resources," said Edgar.

"It was a big training event for our organization," added Nowak.

"This entire event really showed what CV can do," said Executive Producer Ken Paylor. "We have done a lot of great things for other departments on campus, but this was the first time we could do it for the entire campus' benefit."

Both participating CVN members and volunteers were heavily affected by the experience.

"While I was reflecting through the past few days, thoughts showered me and I could not rest as I got overwhelmed after this experience was over and my mentality was changed dramatically," wrote UM-D senior Amal Hassan in her blog.

"Thank you so much ASB Detroit. This has completely changed my perspective on life and given me so much hope. I can't wait to come back next year and learn even more about myself that I never knew was possible," added Heather Wigley.

The ASB blog is at www.uwsemasb.blogspot.com.

Additionally, CVN's footage will be playing on some of the videos on the televisions in the University Center in the coming weeks.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools