Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Refurbishing computers, assembling beds, organizing clothing, distributing food boxes.
GCU CityServe Day on Monday launched the Week of Service at Grand Canyon University, when students are delving into more than 1,000 opportunities to volunteer for 40 ministries and events in honor of the university's 75th anniversary.
“Today you are going to resemble your Heavenly Father, His love and compassion,” said national CityServe Co-founder and GCU Board of Trustees member Dave Donaldson to a large group of volunteers in preparation for the day. “Allow the Holy Spirit to use you in that divine point, ask people how they are doing as you serve them and pray for them.”
Added GCU CityServe Director Nathan Cooper, “GCU as a school really cares about the community that we are in, not just the immediate community, but Phoenix and Arizona as a whole.
“At the core, this is who GCU is. CityServe is just one example of that, being able to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. It is just neighbor helping neighbor.”
When 1 p.m. hit, students and staff volunteers spread out across five different service areas.
Some joined leaders of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, one of GCU's community partners, to load vehicles with bed pallets, mattresses and toolboxes, and then drove into the neighborhood to build single and bunk beds in people’s homes.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace's mission is to meet the needs of families who do not have comfortable sleeping arrangements.
The organization's yearly goal is to provide 100 beds, but in the past year, its staff and volunteers have assembled close to 1,000 beds in people’s homes. GCU students contributed 75 beds to that count.
“I love teaching teenagers and young adults the joy of service,” Phoenix chapter President Joe Genovise said.
“These children will remember the day strangers came in and built them a bed. Kids need a bed for a good night’s sleep, but for self-esteem, too.”
While some families eagerly awaited GCU volunteers to come to them, some families made their way to the university for a food distribution drive.
About 400 cars drove through the parking lot of GCU CityServe to pick up a 25-pound box full of canned goods and perishable food items and a 15-pound box of toiletries and hygiene necessities.
As they drove up, volunteers gathered around their cars to greet them and load their trunks.
“It was wonderful meeting families and having conversations with them,” said senior Taylor Sturtevant. “They seemed so happy with big smiles, and it warmed my heart.”
Freshman Jacob Annan added, “It is a blessing to be able to have the opportunity to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is something we shouldn’t take for granted.”
More volunteers gathered inside the GCU CityServe warehouse to refurbish computers and organize various boxes of donated items intended for families.
Kitchenware, appliances, furniture, home décor and more lined the ceiling-high shelves inside the warehouse. Students quickly ran out of room as they reorganized.
Volunteers shuffled in and out as the day went on, looking for ways to help out.
“As Christians, pouring into others and helping out the community is our responsibility on earth,” said freshman Keira White, who spent the day organizing clothes and packing boxes with Callahan Care in Building 71.
GCU graduate Connor Froysland began the nonprofit with hopes of providing basic needs for adults and children, such as clothes, shoes, backpacks, toys and other supplies.
Froysland partners with various schools in the state through Callahan Care to establish open closets, which resemble retail stores where students have a chance to shop for any sort of needs free of charge.
As a partner of GCU CityServe, Callahan Care was no exception to this service day.
Numerous volunteers joined White in organizing clothes on hanging racks, folding and separating them into different categories, putting them into boxes and even writing encouragement letters to box recipients.
“This changes your outlook, seeing all the different people, knowing you are helping them and putting a smile on their face,” junior Alyssa Vigil said.
Students and staff spent the whole afternoon volunteering with GCU CityServe in these various humanitarian areas, embodying the school’s mission to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing.
The day of volunteerism spoke even more to who GCU is as Christians.
“You can talk the talk and say, ‘Hey we are people who want to give back to the community,’ but the biggest way to bring people to Christ is to show them the love Christ has for all of us,” Froysland said.
GCU staff writer can be reached at [email protected]
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GCU News: More than 1,000 volunteer opportunities highlight GCU's Week of Service
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GCU News: GCU CityServe feeds hope at food distribution event
