Northern students visited the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans Monday, March 13, as part of Spread Goodness Week. They played cards and talked with several veterans after giving them a thank you poster signed by students and a batch of cookies that were decorated Monday as one of the Spread Goodness Week activities hosted by NMU’s Center for Student Enrichment (CSE).

Among those present was CSE graduate assistant Mandy Bonesteel, who planned the activity.

“I thought it would be a really good idea to have an opportunity for students to get off of campus and do something in the community,” Bonesteel said.

Senior Chloe Garr was looking for ways to get more involved in the community when she received an email about Spread Goodness Week and decided to volunteer. 

“I don’t think a lot of our student body knows how to get involved in the community and how to make differences that are big or small in somebody’s day,” Garr said. “This week really helps them do that.”

Garr said it was super fun and she plans to volunteer there again in the future. 

Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Johnson said that there are always opportunities for students to get involved at the Veterans Center, and anyone interested in volunteering can contact her at [email protected].

Bonesteel said that this is a valuable volunteer opportunity that offers students a generationally diverse experience.

“It’s nice to give back and hear other people’s perspectives and life experiences,” Bonesteel said. 

For Bonesteel, Spread Goodness Week is about “spreading kindness, giving people a reason to smile and doing something good for other people.”

Spread Goodness Day was on March 10, but as students were on spring break, the CSE is spreading goodness this week instead. On Wednesday, March 15, people could stop by the Lodge or the Jamrich common area for free popcorn, stickers or flowers between classes, and at 8 p.m. there was a free showing of “Shrek” at Thomas Theater complete with free soda and popcorn. 

On Thursday, March 16, there will be free plants in Jamrich from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wildpups in the library from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a St. Patrick’s Day themed open skate from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Russell Rink in Lakeview Arena. The week will conclude with a concert Friday, March 17, in the Vandament Arena featuring Hippo Campus, Lisa Heller and NMU student LPM.

A complete list of this week’s events can be found on The Hub.