BROOKINGS – Cooperation and creative partnerships are what Brookings is all about, and Jennifer McLaughlin is working hard to merge those two things together in a new volunteer group she’s assembled, called the Millennial Action Network.

Growing up in her Sioux Falls home with her four siblings, she always valued the power of volunteerism. McLaughlin grew up helping out at church and at nursing homes, and she loved seeing the joy they’d bring through their work.

But while attending college at South Dakota State University, there just wasn’t time for that.

“It was something I really missed, so once I was out, I was super excited to be able to jump back in and start seeing where can I volunteer,” McLaughlin said.

As a millennial, she knows the reputation that that age group has, with some seen as self-centered, apathetic slackers. But in early March while doing dishes, she got the idea to try to change that image by putting together a group of millennial volunteers who could help out the community and have a chance to make friends, too.

“I think millennials have a lot to offer. I think we have a lot of spirit, we have a lot of empowerment behind us, and we really do want to make a difference in our community out into our state and nation, globally. We want to see the impact of what we’re doing,” she said. “I think we definitely have a lot we can do. We’re young, enthusiastic.”

As a generation, millennial is a fairly broad category with no single, definitive age range to go by. Some set the birth-year range from the early 1980s and as late as the early 2000s. It’s vague, and McLaughlin has no strict rules to abide by for entry.

“As long as you’re a millennial, you’re welcome. And if you’re just passing the millennial group, you’re still welcome. I’m not going to kick you out if you’re over the millennial age or younger,” she said.

The Millennial Action Network had its first volunteer opportunity toward the end of April. Then, the group went to help at the Brookings Regional Humane Society to help make some dog beds.

Their second outing was to Habitat for Humanity this past weekend. McLaughlin planned on doing some construction work, but due to weather, instead helped at the ReStore, organizing and pricing donations.

The third volunteer opportunity is still being decided, but once it is, it will be posted on the group’s Facebook page, Millennial Action Network Brookings, SD.

She comes up with the volunteer opportunities through brainstorming and her own volunteer work.

“I’m a regular at the Humane Society myself and still have a connection with them. Other places, I just know about from hearing about them,” she said.

Other resources, such as staying up to date on the Helpline Center’s resource Volunteer Connections, also help.

Although the volunteering portion is seemingly the group’s sole raison d’etre, networking is just as much a part of it. By working together, those who come can meet new people and get to know each other and the community better.

At the moment, McLaughlin’s main task is spreading word about the Millennial Action Network to bring in more people. As part of that, she’ll soon make an appearance at 1 Million Cups to talk about the network.

“I hope it grows and it’s a way that people can come and feel welcomed, come and feel like Brookings can be their home if they’re new residents or come and learn even more about their community if they’re longtime residents,” McLaughlin said.

Anybody who is interested in joining can contact McLaughlin by email at Jennifer.mclaughlin71@gmail.com. The same goes for groups that think they could use a few volunteers. She also updates their Facebook page, Millennial Action Network Brookings, SD, with information about upcoming activities.

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.