Make a Difference Day 2025 Makes Large Impact on NWA Community

The Volunteer Action Center (VAC) hosted its annual Make a Difference Day (MADD) on Oct. 4, 2025, one of the largest days of service on campus. Four hundred and twenty-four volunteers participated this year, showing the U of A student body's commitment to the local community. MADD 2025 volunteers served for a total of 1,350 hours, which had an economic impact of $46,966.50. The VAC would like to thank every volunteer for their service. 

This event would not have been possible without the support of sponsors, including Chick-fil-a, Houndstooth Clothing Company, Associated Student Government and the U of A School of Art, as well as the partnership of the various nonprofits and community organizations. MADD 2025 consisted of 27 projects hosted at local parks, non-profit organizations and community events throughout the Northwest Arkansas area. Volunteers sorted donations at Potter's House Thrift Store, set up a book fair at YRCC, wrapped and prepared diapers for families in NWA with Family Network and cleaned up Beaver Lake watershed areas with Beaver Lake Watershed Alliance, along with many other projects.  

Volunteers had the opportunity to reflect on their MADD volunteer experiences on Givepulse. The Givepulse volunteer platform is hosted by the VAC and is available for community agencies to post volunteer opportunities free of charge.  

Becca Englund, a MADD volunteer, wrote on Givepulse, "I had a great time at the YRCC Birthday Book Fair meeting families, meeting other volunteers and helping keep books organized. This is a great space that I am happy to have in Fayetteville!"  

Another MADD volunteer, Cynthia Tran, wrote, "It was really gratifying to package diapers, knowing that they were going to families in need and that babies will have clean diapers to change into."  

MADD is coordinated by the VAC Service Engagement team, consisting of 10 board members, who began to plan for MADD in spring 2025. The Service Engagement team trained 24 student volunteers as project leaders who acted as points of contact for each organization. They also hosted a kickoff event on the Union Mall on the morning of MADD to provide breakfast and T-shirts to all participating volunteers. 

The VAC is always looking for volunteers and sharing ways to get involved on campus. Follow @uavac on Instagram and check out Givepulse to stay up to date on upcoming service opportunities and information about the next Make a Difference Day occurring in fall 2026. 

The Volunteer Action Center is a student-led organization that connects students at the U of A to service opportunities on and off campus. The VAC seeks to foster a positive relationship between students at the U of A and the Northwest Arkansas community through its six signature programs: Be B.O.L.D., Dream B.I.G., the Jane B. Gearhart Food Circle Food Pantry, Passionate About Literacy, Razorback Food Recovery and Service Engagement. Learn more by visiting volunteer.uark.edu or @uavac on Instagram.