Make a Difference Day

Make-A-Difference Day

Sunday, October 20, 2007

             On Saturday, October 20, 2007, Pace University celebrated Make-A-Difference Day, a day set aside by the United States for helping others. Several events took place on Make A Difference day sponsored by Pace University and its clubs and organizations. The Center for Community Outreach, whose purpose on campus is to promote philanthropy everyday, organized a Paint-A-School event in honor of the day.
            Fifty-four students from the New York City campus and fifty from the Pleasantville campus joined together to paint and create murals for the cafeteria and playground of Public School 59 in the Bronx. All the students worked side-by-side to make the school into a more inviting space for the children to grow and learn.
            Sophomore Honors student, Mary Beth Dixon, says "Paint-A-School is one experience that I would never take back and would do over and over again.  It is difficult to put into words just how rewarding the experience was for everyone involved."

            The mural that was painted in the playground was composed of self-portraits that had already been made by the children. The images had been blown up, and Pace University’s students’ job was to paint them.  In the cafeteria, three students from the Pleasantville campus designed murals and then everyone helped in bringing them to life.

            Mary Beth also commented, “I wish I could have been there on Monday morning when the children saw it all for the first time. It was a very up-lifting experience, and it proves that a little goes a long way.”

            The students long hours of hard work paid off in the end. The school looked great! These students helped make a difference in the lives of the children, community, and staff of Public School 59.