By Jeannette Cruz
GCU News Bureau
At Grand Canyon University, it is not out of the ordinary to see student volunteers and leaders step up to make an impact in the community.
Following the golden rule — "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" — an initiative created by this year’s student body president, Nate Carpenter, and vice president, Matthew Shinn, is a chance for student government officials, other students and local partnerships to engage in and promote service into the lives of others.
"Generally, with the culture that we have on this campus, students are really active and want to get involved, so we’re excited to see that this week," Carpenter said. "I think our students take it upon themselves to want to make an impact in the community with groups like Local and Global Outreach, to Canyon Kids, to the executive team at GCU … we really care and we work really hard to get to know our neighbors."
Golden Initiative Week kicked off Monday with a tabling event that offered information about the initiative, volunteer signups and free recycling bins to promote recycling participation across campus.
The week will feature a series of events that will expose students to multiple ways to invest to the community. Highlights include a volunteer fair; the Clean Up the City Rally, at which dozens of students will beautify the surrounding neighborhoods; and Operation Christmas Child, a chance to pack Christmas presents to be delivered to underprivileged children around the globe.
Sophomore Jeremy Logan was excited to pick up recycling bins for his dorm room at the tabling event, hosted by the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University.
"I love what ASGCU is doing," he said. "They're taking care of our campus and they're taking care of others at the same time. It's only November and we're already thinking about making Christmas special for others."
"This is our community, too, and this is our home, so this is a very exciting week to serve and impact our community," Carpenter said.
The following is the calendar of activities ASGCU is hosting the rest of the week:
Tuesday: Volunteer fair, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Prescott Promenade.
Wednesday: Clean Up the City Rally, 7-9 a.m. starting at the Union Promenade.
Thursday: Operation Christmas Child, 5-7 p.m. on the Quad.
Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or [email protected]
