On Saturday, June 15, Redbird alumni flocked to campus to give back to the community that supported them as Redbird students through acts of civic engagement across Bloomington-Normal.
Six years ago, the Redbird Engagement and Development (RED) committee, which works to provide leadership and direction for alumni to continue the lifelong responsibility of being informed and engaged global citizens through meaningful opportunities, had an idea to advance civic engagement in the lives of Redbird alumni. Out of that, #RedbirdImpact Month was born.
“We developed this idea of a month-long marketing campaign to encourage alumni networks across the nation to plan something to give back to the community in their area. It’s been interesting to see how each network chooses to get involved and give back to their community through different volunteer efforts,” said Senior Director of Alumni Engagement Stephanie Duquenne ’04, M.S. ’15.
#RedbirdImpact events and service opportunities occurred across the country throughout the month of June, and on June 15, Redbirds in Bloomington-Normal came together to make a difference with the sixth annual #RedbirdImpact Day of Service. This day dedicated to service has become a Redbird tradition for many alumni, family and friends, and faculty and staff who dedicate their time to volunteering at local organizations throughout the Bloomington-Normal community. While the acts of service they are taking part in each year may change, giving back during #RedbirdImpact Month has not.
This year, Redbirds started the day at the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, a local nonprofit organization that has made a difference in the lives of the community’s children since 1992. Today, the Boys and Girls Club serves more than 1,600 members, families, and youth between the ages of 5-18 in Bloomington-Normal with after-school and summer enrichment programs across four locations.
With their summer programs serving hundreds of children, those in attendance assisted in cleaning the organization’s clubhouse on Saturday. From disinfecting doorknobs to painting walls, Redbirds got to work and made their impact to ensure that the community’s children have a safe and clean space to have fun and succeed this summer.
“We are truly blessed to have our Redbird family as part of our Boys and Girls Club Bloomington-Normal family,” said Tony Morstatter, chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Club Bloomington-Normal.
Following the morning service, Redbirds headed to the Bone Student Center for a luncheon to celebrate the impact they made and would continue to make throughout the day and the rest of the month. During the luncheon, those in attendance got the chance to hear from Redbird alum Heidi Voorhees ’80, president and co-owner of GovHR USA. Voorhees shared her history of civic engagement working with local governments, which started on campus during her work as a student in the Student Government Association, where she served as its first female president in the late 1970s.
Once the luncheon was over, Redbirds flocked to different locations across the community to continue making their #RedbirdImpact. Some attendees stayed at the Bone Student Center to write letters to students for the Back 2 School Alliance, an organization dedicated to putting backpacks and school supplies in the hands of children most in need. Others headed to West Bloomington to volunteer with the West Bloomington Revitalization Project, an organization dedicated to creating a stronger, safer, and more beautiful West Bloomington. Additionally, the Alumni Association Board of Directors helped sort through items saved from move-out to be given a second life at the Share Shop this fall.
One of the Redbirds who stayed back to write letters with the Back 2 School Alliance, was Narry Kim ’93, ’99, M.S. ’99. Kim, a program assistant in the President’s Office, volunteers at the Day of Service every year.
“It’s a great way to reconnect with fellow alumni and colleagues, and it’s a fun way to give back to the community alongside them,” Kim said. “It’s an easy way to stay involved, and even though it isn’t a large time commitment, it has a big impact.”
With all of the volunteer opportunities available throughout the month of June and during the #RedbirdImpact Day of Service, Redbird alumni have already exceeded the University’s goal of 450 service hours for this year’s #RedbirdImpact Month.
“We can say our Redbirds are putting in over 500 volunteer hours in their communities in the year, and that’s what we’ve been able to capture with this campaign,” said Duquenne. “#RedbirdImpact Month is a great effort to advocate, promote, and recognize how our Redbirds are giving back in their communities and being civically engaged.”
As #RedbirdImpact Month comes to a close, Redbirds are encouraged to log their volunteer hours, or make a gift through the #RedbirdImpact Month website to help the University reach its impact goal and make a difference in the lives of others.
