GC gives back to the community

by Payton Bell

The Civic Leadership Program (CLP) at Greensboro College is continuing to help the community into the spring semester. This past fall semester, CLP ended National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by concluding the week through direct action. The Pack-A-Meal event specifically was such a success with over 60 students stopping by to help pack 40 meals to donate to the Greensboro Interactive Resource Center. The program was grateful to spread awareness about homelessness insecurity on campus and created it as part of their mission of hosting more service events.

To kick off the new spring semester, CLP wanted to build on this success, starting the new semester with the Bundle Up For January service event. The program was able to purchase many winter items including, beanies, scarves, gloves, socks, thermal reusable blankets, hand warmers, hand sanitizers and more. With the help of many students and faculty members, we were able to package 40 boxes of all these items with letters written by Greensboro College students for the Greensboro Interactive Resource Center.

The Collegian asked several recipients what the most impactful part of the service activity for them was here. Bishop Brown, a junior, responded by saying, “I know the stuff we packed will help them be stabilized and comfortable, even if it is only for a little bit. The best part about the event is seeing all the things that we are putting in the boxes.” The Collegian also asked how this event changed your perspective on helping others. Brown stated, “It made me realize that in our community, people need our help and are going through a lot. It will take all of us to help them and give back.” He finished by saying, “We all need to come together, help others, and never take things for granted.”

Bishop Brown and his bundle up box (photo courtesy of Xypher Pino).

Sloanne Petersen, who has made an impact at GC and is involved in numerous extracurricular activities such as Village 401 and the Pride Pantry, was also interviewed by The Collegian. When asked her how this event changed her perspective, Petersen said, “Attending these events really show me how much we take for granted. Knowing that some people may be in need of clean clothing items may not seem like anything to us but it could mean the world in someone else’s world.” The Collegian also asked Petersen about the impact that the Bundle Up event had on her. She said, “Knowing how cold I get just walking in between classes, I struggle to even imagine how cold some people may be. This service project was more than just packing the boxes, it was a way for our student body to unite to help our wider community.” Petersen finished with, “The CLP program continues to teach GC how to live a life of empathy and show us why our actions matter.”

Sloanne Petersen holding up her box after the event (photo courtesy of Xypher Pino).

The Collegian was also able to get an inside scoop from CLP organization leader, Xypher Pino. We asked Pino what the inspiration for this event was and how it felt when it all came together. Pino said, “The Civic Leadership Program and I hosted a service event formatted like this one at the end of last semester. Our group wanted to do something similar, but this time focusing on packing goods that can help the unhoused during this cold winter.” He explains the satisfaction of the event by saying, “It was awesome seeing the joy in people’s faces as they packed their boxes and decorated them with care. It is always satisfying putting together events and seeing the results, but it means a lot more when the things we are doing are for a good cause.”

A group of students grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community.

By continuing this initiative in the future, CLP has decided to do a service event every month. For February, CLP will kick off with “Roses and Ribbons.” CLP’s initiative is to send one hundred roses to a local senior living center with a ribbon tied around a note and a heart-shaped lollipop. All the notes will be written by GC students and faculty. “Roses and Ribbons” is a great way to give back to the community and have everyone feel loved on Valentine’s Day. The CLP will be handing the roses to senior citizens on Valentine’s Day morning. If you would like to send a rose to an elderly patient, you should stop by in front of the café for this service event. CLP is beyond thankful for the opportunities and platform they were able to create last semester and wants to succeed beyond that. There is so much to come in March and April.