The group, also known as CARE, is comprised of 20 to 50 active members at a time. President Deanna Schafer said they usually organize community service events that are open to anyone who may be interested or who can work it into their schedules.
Their events usually draw between 10 and 15 volunteers, and they try to hold them on weekends to prevent any conflict with class schedules.
“We’re purely here to link MSU students to the East Lansing and Lansing community,” said Schafer, a comparative culture and politics sophomore.
Community Action and Response Experience was started at MSU five years ago by a student who wanted to perform services simply for the sake of it.
The club members still work to keep the tradition they were founded upon alive. This past semester, members have spent time at Haven House, Greater Lansing Food Bank, The Pines Rehabilitation & Health Care Center and the Lansing City Market.
Schafer said the group always receives a positive response for their services.
“Recently, we were at Pines playing bingo with the residents, and we were only there for an hour and a half,” she said. “They were so happy, though. It’s very eye-opening to see how much of a difference you can make for people.”
One thing Vice President Caroline Mizuki wanted to see was event diversity.
The international relations sophomore said she has experienced a wide variety of service since joining during fall 2012.
“It’s just really rewarding to see everyone who shows up,” Mizuki said.
Because the club is housed in Case Hall, Mizuki said their members usually come from South Neighborhood. However, anyone who wants to lend a helping hand is invited to attend the group’s meetings or sign up for the club’s email list
Meetings are held at 8 p.m. Monday nights in 331 South Case Hall . Their next meeting, once students return from spring break, will be on March 10.
As of right now, Schafer said they have plans on visiting Haven House and The Pines Rehabilitation Center after break.
She said they are hoping to start a garden project once the weather is warmer and to visit Detroit during April to spend the day on a building project.
“It’s been extremely rewarding,” Schafer said. “I attend as many events as I can because I really just enjoy doing the service.”
