DeKALB | NIU is giving back.

On Saturday, more than 1,000 people will be working together to volunteer their services to the community when the university hosts NIU Cares Day.

“This will be an opportunity to engage the student body in giving back to the DeKalb community,” said Brian Hemphill, vice president of Student Affairs.

NIU organizations that will be involved include the Student Association, Residence Hall Association and Greek organizations. Institutions from outside NIU that will be involved in the charitable effort include Big Brother, Big Sister, Kishwaukee United Way and the DeKalb Park District, among many others. DeKalb mayor Frank Van Buer and NIU President John Peters will present as well.

“It’s hard to find a major organization not involved,” Hemphill said. “This is the first time that something like this has occurred and we hope to have more events like this in the future.”

Activities such as residential housing renovations and trash collection will be pursued by the volunteers, as well as reading to children.

Not only will this event be positive for the DeKalb community, but it will also prove beneficial for the volunteers, Hemphill said.

“Students that volunteer tend to perform better academically based on the contribution they give,” Hemphill said. “Volunteers are changed by this experience.”

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with a rally at the Chick Evans Field House, wrapping up around 3 p.m. Buses will be provided to take volunteers to and from project sites.