ITHACA, NY — Upwards of 100 students from Ithaca College will be celebrating USA WEEKEND magazine’s Make A Difference Day this weekend by cleaning up South Hill, supporting local people with cancer, putting food to good use, and opening middle school students’ eyes to the value of a college education.

“Make A Difference Day is an encompassing national day of helping others,” said Deb Mohlenhoff, assistant director for community service and leadership development. “It’s a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. We at Ithaca College are glad to be able to show how much we care about our local community and participate in this national day of doing good.”

Participation in Make A Difference Day is open to anyone or any group with an idea for a volunteer service project. Last year, 300 million people participated nationwide. Make A Difference Day is officially held the fourth Saturday of October, but the Ithaca College activities will take place on Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25. The events are listed below.

Friday, Oct. 24
3 to 5 p.m., Towers Dining Hall
Recognition Reception for students active in SWIFT (Stop Wasting Ithaca’s Food Today)
This recently expanded food salvage program involves students and dining services staff preparing individual meals from surplus food for delivery to local food pantries. Students at the reception will be willing to talk about their involvement in this growing program.

Saturday, Oct. 25
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
South Hill Community Clean Up
Activities will include litter removal, raking, and weed removal.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Arboretum, Cornell Plantations
“Strength in Numbers 5K Run and Walk”
Several Ithaca College organizations, including the Senior Class and the IC chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, will participate in this fundraising event as runners, walkers and volunteers. Proceeds will support the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes.

 1 to 5 p.m.
Bomber Buddies Program
Butterfield Stadium
Students from the college have invited nearly 70 students and from the Spencer Van Etten Middle School to the Ithaca College Bombers football game against the Utica College Pioneers. Each visitor, along with his or her parents, will partner one-on-one with a college student, and the buddies will enjoy the game as well as talk about the benefits of a college education. This program is affiliated with College for Every Student (CFES), a national organization developed to eliminate barriers to attending college for young people from rural areas.