A Day of Service Leading to a Lifetime of Generosity

On Saturday, January 25, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students and staff participated in the National Day of Service to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and commitment to civic action. When volunteers set off to their service locations, to nonprofit organizations they may have never encountered otherwise, two compelling questions emerged: “What impact will we have today?” and “What impact will this service have on me?”

An essential element of a successful day of service is the coordinating team. They encourage volunteer participation, ensure everyone reaches their designated locations, and connect volunteers with organizations that can maximize their contributions. In this case, GVSU’s Office of Student Life Civic Engagement Team deserves a big shout out!

A Warm Welcome at Gilda’s Club

Like most volunteers that day, we had no personal encounter with Gilda’s Club before signing up with GVSU. As we pulled into the long driveway, we had a feeling this volunteer experience was going to be different – in a good way.

The front door opened before we could even knock, and we were greeted by Denise Hillen, the organization’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable Volunteer Coordinator who had only been with the Glida’s Club for six weeks. For her ease and grace, it felt as though she had been working there for six years – due to her prior experience in volunteer coordination, she possessed a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome.

Denise explained the importance of volunteers in this way:

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids could not fulfill our mission and vision of being able to provide free emotional help support to anyone navigating a cancer or grief journey, without the volunteers who work alongside the staff every day. Volunteers help with everything from making the meals for supper together to being the first welcoming face you see when entering the clubhouse.

Walking into Gilda’s Club, we immediately felt a sense of home—a warm, welcoming atmosphere akin to arriving at a family gathering. In the words of Hemingway, it was “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” filled with comfortable furniture, embodying the organization’s mission of providing emotional and social support to cancer patients. More than just a facility, Gilda’s Club fosters a community of belonging, where individuals are not referred to as clients but as members, reinforcing a sense of inclusion and care.

Denise ensured that we understood what happened in each room of the home and its impact on members of Gilda’s Club—and then we got to work.

Meaningful Service Tasks

Our tasks for the day were well thought out, with materials readily available—one primary task involved preparing meals for 50 individuals. Volunteers enthusiastically made lasagna and baked more than 200 cookies. The cookies were intended for volunteers assisting with one of Gilda’s Club’s major fundraising events, LaughFest, which supports the organization’s ongoing work. There may have been a few taste-testers in the kitchen that day!

Another group of volunteers worked on assembling bracelets. At first glance, sorting beads into their proper bags might have seemed tedious. However, Denise’s explanation transformed the task into something deeply meaningful. The different colors of the beads represented various forms of grief and heartache that children in the program had experienced. Through an outreach initiative, children created these bracelets to symbolize their journey through loss, allowing them to express their emotions in a visible yet non-verbal way. Knowing this gave our work a greater purpose, making the task feel meditative rather than monotonous.

For those who weren’t cooking or sorting beads, another opportunity to serve was deep cleaning and tidying the living room spaces. Vacuuming and sanitizing might not seem inspiring, but each hand-knit ‘cancer cap’ or pillow we fluffed helped us understand the critical role a welcoming space plays in healing for Gilda’s Club members. Each space felt like part of a home with bright, colorful, and warm spaces that reinforced the importance of maintaining a comforting environment for children and families navigating difficult times.

Basket of colorful knitted shawls and caps with a tag indicating the items were knit by volunteers at Gilda's Club.

Student volunteers prepare cookies for members of Gilda's Club GR.

A sheet pan of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

From One Day to a Lifetime of Service

How does a single Day of Service lead to a lifetime of generosity and connection? The answer lies in its potential to act as a catalyst. By offering a well-structured and meaningful experience, service days expose participants to the profound impact of their contributions. When volunteers can see and feel the difference they make, they are more likely to remain engaged in service beyond a single event.

In our case, the enthusiasm among students was palpable, and by the end of the day, the space carried a mix of the fresh scent of a newly cleaned room and the warm aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Reflecting on the morning, many students expressed a desire to return to Gilda’s Club and continue volunteering. Others shared that the experience had reshaped their perception of community service, showing them that even small acts—such as cooking a meal, organizing supplies, or tidying a gathering space—can contribute to a larger mission of care and support.

How does a single Day of Service lead to a lifetime of generosity and connection? The answer lies in its potential to act as a catalyst. By offering a well-structured and meaningful experience, service days expose participants to the profound impact of their contributions.

Denise summed up the day:

It was a wonderful experience connecting with GVSU for their MLK Day of Service. That day, students made over 200 cookies, meal prepped for our supper together program, sanitized our childcare space, and worked on bracelets for our youth support program that impacts schools right here in West Michigan. It was a very inspiring experience to know that Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids was a part of something larger that day. Everyone seemed at home, and even the clubhouse was filled with the smell of fresh homemade cookies. The cookies and lasagna were a big hit! Since then, we have received a couple of inquiries from students wanting to come with their college groups to volunteer again, and we can’t wait to welcome this wonderful group of volunteers back to the clubhouse.

Ultimately, the success of this Day of Service was rooted in thoughtful coordination, meaningful engagement, and an environment that fostered connection. When such a moment is approached with intention and welcome, it can inspire ongoing generosity, transforming a day of volunteering into a lifelong commitment to service.

Founded in 1995, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids honors comedian Gilda Radner’s vision of a supportive community for those facing cancer or grieving a loss from any cause. Inspired by her experience with the disease, the organization offers free emotional support to individuals and families affected by cancer or grief. Services include support groups, educational workshops, and social activities. Volunteers are essential, facilitating daily activities such as workshops, front desk reception, meal preparation, and event support, ensuring no one faces these challenges alone.

One of Glida’s Club’s biggest fundraising events, Laugh Fest, is coming up from Wednesday, March 5, to Sunday, March 9. Students are offered a $5 discount on tickets to see Gabby Bryan.

A Day of Service Leading to a Lifetime of Generosity

A Warm Welcome at Gilda’s Club

Meaningful Service Tasks

From One Day to a Lifetime of Service

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