Make Midterm Matter: Fall’18

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October 9th (Tuesday) saw the 34th MAKE MIDTERM MATTER event hosted by the Memorial University of Newfoundland(MUN). The event started at 9:30 am with a welcome speech from Dr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson.

The volunteers were then divided into four teams- one of which went to Manuels River to build butterfly huts while another volunteered to help the Coats for Kids event at Legion, Blackmarsh road. The third team volunteered to go to the Autism Centre to for a fun day of gardening.Most of the volunteers, however, remained at The Landing in the University Centre to train for volunteering at Eastern Health.

Dr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson explained how the event helps to improve the community and promote positive networking amongst students. “The essence of this event is to help the present members of the community. Opportunities, including employment opportunities are predicated by who you know. It’s very important for people to get out. I encourage everyone to get out and do these things because you’re not as smart as you think you are”, said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

“It breaks down stigma, we like to show sides of autism, to show that people are responsible”, said Megan Marshall, a coordinator in the Autism Society. The event provides a platform so that everybody can work together. “People are people,” says Megan Marshall.

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Madelyn Hache, a team lead, expressed her enthusiasm towards this event. “I don’t really have a lot of time because of my studies to go and visit the elderly, I love volunteering for Eastern Health, so every time Make Midterm Matter comes, I’m always a team lead.”

This event is hosted every semester by the University and it really gives the students a great opportunity to try a position or a new activity for a day. “We provide the opportunities, we give you the transport,even the lunch you will eat this afternoon. It’s a nice gentle entry into a more sustained volunteering experience”, said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

The coats for kids could be considered as one of the most significant parts of the event. Hosted by VOCM Cares, the Coats for Kids campaign is responsible for gathering warm clothes to help the needy survive the harsh winters. Locals can bring in donations to various appointed locations from all around St. John’s and Mount Pearl from Tuesday to Saturday. “We ensure to have extended hours until 8 pm. This allows parents that work to get the time to pick their children up for school and then bring their children down to the area,” said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

However, in spite of everything, the campaign need more support. They have over 100 MUN students volunteering with them this semester but all they need, is more coats. “The way I look at it, if we have 18000 students at MUN, if 1/10 bring in coats, that’s 1800 coats. All sizes of boots, coats, and warm clothing are encouraged really,” says Dr. Lewis-Simpson, expressing her concern about the lack of coats.

Some coats are not fit to wear, but, Tony the tailors were kind enough to fix the zippers and other small aspects of the coats free of charge. NL Power, the Red Cross, the Community Central Council, Knittin’ Nans and the Legion are some of the must-mention names behind the success of this event.

These events really give the students an experience like no other and at the same time gives back to the community and aids them in their day to day struggles. Make Midterm Matter teaches students something no degree or textbook really can- it teaches students the true essence of life which stems from putting a smile on someone else’s face.  

Reporter: Junaid Faizan Haque

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