By Lisa Snyder, Associate Director, Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement
More than 100 University Life staff members came together on July 22 for the annual University Life Gives Back: Summer Day of Service, demonstrating George Mason's commitment to civic engagement and community impact. This year's event featured 17 service projects and four donation drives, offering staff the opportunity to volunteer on campus and throughout the surrounding community. The day provided a meaningful way for colleagues to reconnect, give back, and prepare for the upcoming academic year while supporting causes that make a difference.
Staff created and donated items for community partners, including more than 100 blankets and chew toys for the Prince William Animal Shelter. Participants also decorated more than 40 flowerpots for University Sustainability initiatives and painted kindness rocks to spread encouragement throughout the community. In addition, staff donated books to support local Little Free Libraries and assembled 100 LGBTQ+ Resource buttons and steam-cleaned clothing to support the Trans Clothing Closet Resource.
Another project generated more than 100 letters of encouragement and support for George Mason’s facilities and housekeeping staff and Love for Our Elders, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate social isolation among older adults through handwritten letters and intergenerational connections. Teams spent time engaging with residents at Sunrise Senior Living and helped beautify and maintain community spaces, including the Innovation Food Forest, The EDGE, South Lakes Drive Park, and the Fairfax Library.
“This was our first year collaborating with Fairfax County Park Authority for a park clean-up project,” said Mary Hayes Collins, a Day of Service planning team member. “A small team of volunteers found a lot of trash—especially plastic, glass, and aluminum cans—between the trails among the trees and vines. Removing it before it ends up in streams is so important.”
Staff ended the day with dodgeball, pickleball, and board games at the new Activities Building. The Summer Day of Service continues to reflect University Life's dedication to fostering a culture of volunteerism, well-being, and social change.