About a year ago, supply chain management senior Anton De Avila and finance senior Zak Northrup wanted to find a way to bridge the gap between students and community service.
They decided to create a new group known as Spartans Rebuilding Michigan.
Spartans Rebuilding Michigan is a flexible way for students to be involved in the community, build their resume and gain leadership experience.
“We connect students with non-profits and we also provide connection for them to help out with the community,” Northrup, the external president, said.
The club has grown to 100 members since its creation last spring. Some of the service events Spartans Rebuilding Michigan does include going to the Ronald McDonald House in Lansing, cooking dinner for the families there and a cleaning the house.
“It’s tremendously gratifying,” Northrup said. “It’s great knowing that we’re doing something for the community and leaving our stamp on Michigan State.”
Spartans Rebuilding Michigan does a variety of other community service activities such as working with Lansing food banks to help prepare meals. Last year, the group collected more than 2000 articles of clothing for those in need during the winter.
“I love all the different volunteer opportunities,” Carla Boffa, hospitality business sophomore and Spartans Rebuilding Michigan member, said “It’s not just one life ‑ we’re expanding and touching a lot of people. It’s so easy to get passionate and get carried away.”
Spartans Rebuilding Michigan has at least five service events a week, but it only requires members to work five hours of service each semester.
Members with the most hours at the end of each month are rewarded a member of the month award and a $10 Starbucks gift card. Whomever has the most hours at the end of the semester wins a $30 Visa gift card.
“It’s not a huge commitment, you’re helping those in need, and this looks good on your resume so it’s a win, win, win if you join,” internal president De Avila said.
He said he is excited with how the group has grown and hopes to see more growth in the future.
“It’s pretty amazing to see a simple idea grow into a pretty huge organization,” De Avila said. “It’s been an incredible experience and we hope to increase our impact in the community over the years.”
