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Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
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April 17, 2012
Susan Banovetz | Director of External Affairs | 218 726-6141| banovetz@d.umn.edu
Kathleen McQuillan-Hofmann | UMD Marketing and Communication Assistant | 218 726-7111 | kmcquill@d.umn.edu


Second Annual CHAMP Day of Service

Saturday, April 21, as the culmination to National Volunteer Week, UMD's second annual CHAMP (Connecting Hopes with Action to Mobilize People) Day of Service will be held. This community day provides an opportunity for UMD students, staff, and faculty to give back to the Duluth community by working on a number of site-based projects with local agencies.

There will be a rally in the Ward Wells Field House on Saturday morning from 8:45-10 am, followed by volunteer projects throughout the community during the day. Opening remarks will be made by Chancellor Black, Michelle Hargrave, director of the Office of Civic Engagement, and alumnus Eric Kaiser.

Erin M Zoellick, Community Engagement Specialist in the Office of Civic Engagement, stated that 425 volunteers have registered for this year's event. "UMD added an alumni team and are looking forward to increased participation from faculty and staff," Zoellick said. Last year, UMD mobilized nearly 300 volunteers, engaging in 691 hours of service in a single day.

Individual participants were enthusiastic about last year's event. An anonymous survey, taken at the end of last year's Day of Service, garnered praise for the program. One student said, "Champ and the Chancellor showing up at our service place; meeting new people and sharing important work; getting to know a non-profit organization better; I'm ready for next year!" Faculty and staff are also on the CHAMP Day bandwagon. One faculty member praised the connections made through working in the community. "A great sense of camaraderie and purpose was developed and the community members . . . were very positive about the experience, too."

CHAMP Day of Service began last year with UMD Chancellor Black's commitment to use his inauguration to provide a greater good.

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