As a Gannon University undergraduate, GIVE Day generally works its way onto your academic calendar.
Gannon works hard to cultivate a culture of volunteerism, in part because this university understands how much more we gain in our lives when we give. What you may not realize is that GIVE Day now extends well beyond the confines of Erie and the current undergraduate population.
The GIVE Day experience has inspired alumni to participate in incredible projects across the country. Alumni hold GIVE Days in different cities — often on the same day as the undergraduates. This year, dozens of alumni participated in 55 events in six cities.
In Cleveland, 12 Gannon alumni helped with the Helping Hands Hero Run 5k and the Fun Run. This event was created through the Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation.
This event raises money for children to receive necessary equipment not covered by insurance such as safe standard car seats, electrical lines for ventilators, wheelchair ramps, etc. Gannon volunteers helped with setup, cleanup and route direction.
In Atlanta, 11 Gannon alumni volunteered at MedShare. MedShare provides medical supplies and equipment to over 100 countries. Volunteers sort and pack medical supplies for shipment.
In Harrisburg, two alumni volunteered at Downtown Daily Bread. Downtown Daily Bread is an emergency kitchen that provides nourishing, hot meals for the poor and homeless of downtown Harrisburg at no charge to the recipient.
In Buffalo, nine Gannon alumni volunteered for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
In Chicago, two alumni volunteered at Cornerstone Community Outreach, a nonprofit that provides shelter and support to the homeless in the Chicagoland area. And right here in Erie, 19 alumni volunteered for the Our West Bayfront initiative.
While an amazing sense of community is created through a common day of giving, the greater good being done is the creation of the habit of lifelong giving. I hope that you’ll consider continuing the tradition once your undergraduate days are done.
JESSICA NELSON
[email protected]
