Home » News » 12 Months of Giving! Gurnick Gives Back For the Year 2022

 

Gurnick Academy students, faculty, and staff regularly represent their campuses by reaching out in community service-related outreach projects within their learning spheres. From small, random acts of kindness, such as remembering an educator with a kind note, to significant, organized endeavors, such as a mass laptop giveaway to veterans, our humanitarian efforts continue to add value and improve our communities. Our volunteerism represents an array of causes, including local bake sales and blood drives, to ongoing partnerships with sister agencies, such as the Children’s Home Society or the Children’s Hunger Fund.

Moreover, we believe in giving back. We seek more opportunities to serve our communities with talent, time, and skill. 

Gurnick Academy administration, staff, and students know we are part of larger communities. We strive to be vital contributors within our schools, places of worship, commerce areas, and other circles—making philanthropy and volunteerism very much celebrated on all our campuses. These service opportunities are regularly highlighted in our school’s communication through social media, in-house communiqués, our website, and all student body programs. 

Additionally, our teachers believe that real-life community service provides some of the best opportunities for learning and growth. Drawing from other studies, Dr. James Murrell, one of our educators, puts it this way, “Service Learning is one of the most powerful educational methods in that students get to apply what they have learned in the `real world,’ which makes that learning relevant and timely.”1 
Citation: Bandy, J. (2011). What is Service Learning or Community Engagement? Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. (Accessed March 15, 2023.) 

Collective Walks to End Alzheimer’s in 2022

Blue and Purple—A Match Made in Heaven!
This year, a portion of our Gurnick Academy student body was featured on the official Alzheimer’s Awareness promotional material. We think Gurnick Academy blue and the Alzheimer’s Association purple pair well! Since 2016, Gurnick Academy students, faculty, and staff have participated in the annual National Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser, held in more than 600 communities for prevention, treatment, and a cure. Sometimes carrying Promise Flowers representing their reasons for walking while waving flags along routes, students, staff, and faculty alike are encouraged to educate, advocate, and raise funds for the advancement and mission of the Alzheimer’s Association

Concord (East Bay) Campus’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date: Friday, October 28
Level: Bronze
Students and faculty were encouraged to participate in raising awareness and funds for support and research. 

Fresno Campus’s `Forget Me Nots’ Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date:
Saturday, September 24
Walk Place: Tesoro Viejo, Madera, CA
Level: Gold
Fundraising Total: $1,014.00
Participants were encouraged to walk and commit to raising funds to help reach the goal. The campus conducted a Promise Flower Ceremony just before the 2–3-mile walk. 12 Months of Giving!

Modesto’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date:
Saturday, September 17 
Level: Gold 
Fundraising Total: $1,140.00

Sacramento Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date:
Saturday, October 1
Location: River Walk Park, West Sacramento, CA
Level: Bronze
Fundraising Total: $758.00
Gurnick staff, faculty, students, and their families came out to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Vocational Nursing Instructors Asya Weston and Juan Fernandez were responsible for the first-aid station.Main Campus’s (Silicon Valley) Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date: Saturday, October 15
Location: Excite Ballpark, The San Jose Giants Stadium
Level: Bronze
Fundraising Total: $2,520.00
Gurnick had 50 Vocational Nurse student volunteers at the event helping with setup and operating the first-aid booth. This is the biggest VN group so far for the school. Route Length: 1–2 mile route.

 

Van Nuys Campus’s (Los Angeles) Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Walk Date: Saturday, November 5
Level: Bronze
Fundraising Total: $1,455.00
Sixteen faculty and staff and five students from the Van Nuys Campus walked in this year’s ALZ Walk. “We look forward to The Walk to End Alzheimer’s every year,” says Keana Jarvis, Campus director. “It’s a time to bring awareness and recognize the brave individuals and their family members affected by this. With so many people touched by dementia, we would like to continue to be strong advocates for education and treatment options that will lead to a cure.”  

The total raised collectively by Gurnick Academy campuses in 2022 for Alzheimer’s research and advocacy or Corporate Sponsorship was $22,750

 

Service Efforts and Volunteerism
January, February 

 

Of  Shoes and Fundraisers
The Modesto Campus has an ongoing sneaker collection drive. They collect unwanted sneakers throughout the year. Collection bags are filled with worn-out “kicks” and sent to GotSneakers. The organization reimburses with checks directly into the campus’s Alzheimer’s Awareness team account. Not only does the campus raise money for Walk to END ALZ, but they also help the environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills! Gurnick’s “pairing” (pun intended) of the two causes creates solutions to two social dilemmas. 

                   

 

MARCH, APRIL

Helping Hands For the Blind
On Friday, April 29, the Van Nuys Campus gave in-kind donations, including clothes, housewares, books, knick-knacks, and other items, to Helping Hands for the Blind. Helping Hands is a non-profit organization to promote social, economic, and educational opportunities for blind individuals. Contributions went through April. “The outpouring of donations has been phenomenal. This is a way of giving back to the community and helping others in need, whatever the circumstances may be,” said school officials. Leticia Mendoza, Student Services Coordinator, adds, “A representative came to pick up all our donations and was very impressed at how much we were able to raise in donations for this great cause.” 

                          

 

MAY

Sacramento Campus’s Big Day of Giving
As always, the Sacramento Campus encouraged participation in Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving. Some charitable proceeds benefited youth in crisis across the Sacramento region. Focus was given to the Children’s Receiving Home as a safe haven. For young people and teens suffering abuse, neglect, or mental health challenges in the greater Sacramento area, the CRH campus is a place to recover in partnership with caring and nurturing staff who journey alongside them as they reclaim their lives on their terms. 

Children’s Hunger Fund
Pack it all in! The Van Nuys Campus volunteered for several hours at the Children’s Hunger Fund Distribution Center on May 13. The volunteer group packaged 595 boxes of food for those less fortunate and impoverished children in Albania. The Children’s Hunger Fund is a non-profit, Christian organization that resources and empowers local churches in the United States and worldwide to meet the needs of their community and the world community. This volunteer effort is fast becoming an annual event for the campus. 

                 

 

JUNE

Modesto Gospel Mission Outreach
The Concord Campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing students volunteered at the Modesto Gospel Mission as part of their Community Health Nursing course. BSN-1 students worked on Friday, June 3, to get the clinic prepared to be up and running for the Modesto Gospel Mission to serve the community.

“Modesto Gospel Mission is a considerable asset to the homeless community, and we are fortunate to partner with them for our Community Health rotation,” says Shelvia Salvano, Assistant Program Director BSN-Concord, Director of Nursing Clinical Operations. 

 

Van Nuys’ Campus One Warm Coat Drive
Now that’s a wrap! The Van Nuys Campus hosted the One Warm Coat Drive because “no one should go cold in the winter.” A warm coat can mean the difference between life and death for men and women living on the street. For the effort, Van Nuys’ leadership asked students, staff, and faculty alike to dig deep in their closets for gently used warm coats, jackets, beanies, and sweaters. The annual closet purge has become a tradition, blessing their community with warmth.

The One Warm Coat Drive began on June 20 and ended on November 11, with donation boxes filled with warm things in the student lunchroom. 

 

Children Receiving Home Event
Somewhere to Call Home—On June 14, Sacramento Campus leadership welcomed the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home to their campus. While on-site, youth engaged in art activities, enjoyed lunch, and toured the campus, giving them insight into a future career in the healthcare industry.

Abraham Cicchetti, Campus director, says the ongoing effort with the CRH is part of a strategic partnership for his campus to help mentor youth–an alliance. According to Cicchetti, Sacramento’s Campus is a place to be mentored, have field trips, and provide general brotherhood and sisterhood for those needing a hand. The campus interacts with CRH regularly in events and includes gifts-in-kind, donations, and gifts of time. Occasionally there’s no place like your home away from home.

Boys and Girls’ Clubs
The Sacramento Campus sponsored this year’s Boys and Girls’ Club Broke Ball Event at the $2500 Advocate Sponsorship level. On June 16, Club families drove through the event, taking home meals, participating in fun activities, and connecting with Gurnick’s Outreach Manager and Career Services Coordinator. Gurnick Academy also recognized Youth of the Year Awardees from each club site during the event. 

“Broke Ball provides a significant source of core mission support to enable the Club* to provide innovative programs designed to help youth excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives.”1 Further, it’s an opportunity to meet virtually to stand up for the kids who need us most. Broke Ball creates a philanthropic venue for resources available for youth; their ongoing support helps Club members access the academic support, leadership development, and healthy lifestyles necessary for building great futures.1 
*Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento
1^a, b (Accessed March 1, 2023.)

 

JULY, AUGUST

Davis Street’s 6th Annual Health Fair!
Davis Street Health Fair leaders invited Gurnick Academy to host a resource booth at their 6th annual health fair on Saturday, August 6, from 9 AM–12 PM. With the purpose of helping the East Bay community of San Leandro, the fair was held outdoors in the back parking lot of the Davis Street Community Center.

Whereby representatives from the Medical Assistant Program staffed a booth. A drawing for four children’s bikes was also held. All adolescents attending the event received new backpacks. Additionally, several students helped set up and distribute the organization’s food giveaway.  

 

Community Outreach
The Community Outreach, a.k.a. Pistahan Festival Event, occurred on Saturday, August 13. Vocational Nurse faculty and students participated in the Pistahan Parade under the auspices of The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNA). Throughout the day, volunteers operated the first-aid booth at Yerba Buena Gardens. The effort was part of Gurnick Academy’s community outreach and long-standing collaboration with PNA, reports Sashi Bir, VN Clinical coordinator. 

 

DOGust!, International Homeless Animals Day + Clear the Shelter Day
Dog-Gone Good! Gurnick Academy representatives took donations to an animal shelter as part of a community service commemorating “DOGust.” DOGust celebrates all shelter dogs’ birthdays. The event is technically on August 1, yet the Academy combined its charitable efforts with International Homeless Animals and Clear the Shelter Day on August 20 for greater significance. The drive collecting shelter materials took place through most of August.

Representatives gave a crate, beds, cleaning supplies, treats, and toys to a local shelter. Hosted by the Academy’s then Vet Tech program at the main campus, the drive was PAWS-I-TIVELY helpful to “man’s best friends” and all things feline and canine. 

                                                

 

Youth Heart Screening
The Beat Goes On! On August 27, Ultrasound Clinical Coordinator, Bushra Hendi, participated in a heart screening for Sacramento-area youth. Sponsored by UC Davis, the free screening was offered to anyone 12–25 years old. It included cardiac risk assessments, EKGs, and doctor reviews to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth. Moreover, it was a service that did the heart good!

 

SEPTEMBER

Operation NO More Loneliness 💔
Sincerely Yours! The Modesto Campus student body helped combat elderly loneliness this year. Hearing that many nursing homes and assisted living facilities have restricted access to visitors, campus leadership decided to try to combat current loneliness. Knowing they were “speaking” with a generation that doesn’t live online, students wrote letters, the old-fashioned way, to residents at a local assisted-living facility. “It means so much to the residents that people are thinking of them and making them smile with just a simple letter,” says Modesto Campus Director Tu Nguyen.

OCTOBER

Taste of the County
Gurnick Academy supported the San Mateo County Health Foundation’s 2nd-annual Taste of the County event hosted at the San Mateo Event Center, in San Mateo, Calif., on Saturday, October 1. The Academy had a booth at the family-friendly event featuring food from local restaurants supporting frontline workers. One hundred percent of the proceeds were donated to SMCHF’s programs promoting health and wellness for families, abuse victims, immunocompromised individuals, and other underserved individuals. The organization helps more than 80,000 patients a year obtain healthcare services.  

                                            

Blood Drive 
Happy Donors! Modesto campus students, faculty, and staff gave blood to the Red Cross on Wednesday, October 26. Their original goal of 20 units was exceeded by the following:

                      

 

Fresno’s Three-prong Approach to Giving!

1. Central California Blood Center Blood Drive—Students Rise Up To Save Lives

                                     

Ultimately rising up to save lives, the Fresno Campus hosted an Alzheimer’s benefit and blood drive on Friday, October 28, from 10 AM–6 PM. In all, students and staff donated 17 pints of blood by Gurnick staff, faculty, students, and local community members. California Central Blood Center (CCBC) says the campus saves 51 lives. “We were excited to be able to come together as a community to try to help save lives,” says Samantha Harris, Student Services Coordinator. In total, the school had over 24+ registered donors! 

                                                   2. Alzheimer’s Bake Sale                                                             12 Months of Giving!12 Months of Giving!

Sweet tooth or sweet cause? For the Fresno Campus, the answer may be both. The campus hosted its annual bake sale fundraiser on the same day (October 28). Coordinated by Student Services, members welcomed and sold donated baked goods, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to Alzheimer’s Awareness. 

3.   Food Truck Fundraiser

Simultaneously, the Colorado Grill food truck served food throughout the blood donation and bake sale. As students gave, so did the Colorado Grill. The business donated 15 percent of its proceeds for the day to the Alzheimer’s Awareness fundraiser. 

Between the Colorado Grill’s food truck donation and the bake sale, the campus raised $632 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Sabrina Anderson, Samantha Harris, and Adaena Martinez spearheaded the eventful day of philanthropic contributions. Meanwhile, the Y101 radio crew helped promote said school programs on campus. 

NOVEMBER

Thanking Veterans With Laptops
Gurnick Academy marked Global Giving Tuesday 2022 by giving to nearby veterans. On Monday, November 28, our institution awarded Microsoft Surface tablets to more than 297 deserving veterans. Operation: Care and Comfort (OCC) Vice President Board member and U.S. Army Combat Veteran Frank Keffer accepted the in-kind donation at the Navy Reserves Center in San Jose, Calif, on behalf of the military and veterans they serve.

Whereby tablets were distributed to military, veterans, and Gold Star families needing assistance over the holiday. Others were offered to local veterans recently housed (formerly homeless) seeking employment. Still, others were distributed to troops and veterans through other local programs.

 

DECEMBER

Modesto Collects Gifts for Local Nursing Homes
Christmas Cheer! Modesto Campus staff/faculty/students gave presents to local nursing home residents in need this holiday season! Students/staff helped brighten a local senior’s holiday season by sending heartfelt gifts. Overall, the campus gave 35 residents presents utilizing their wish lists. 

     12 Months of Giving!

 

Return of the Angel Tree!
Leaders embarked on their annual Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need during the holiday season. Angel Tree tags were numbered with the names, ages, and wish lists of those needing a gift. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child. Starting as early as Wednesday, November 30, leadership encouraged all who could to stop by the lobby in the main building and select a tag, then purchase one or more gift(s) for a child in need. 

Wrapped gifts were then returned to the front desk on December 13. According to Richard Olayvar from Student Services, at least 30 gifts were provided to children, along with various toys and clothes. 

Fresno’s Toy Drive
The Fresno Campus worked with Toys for Tots by conducting a toy drive of new, unwrapped toys. Playthings were collected throughout the early part of December, with collection bins placed in key areas of the campus. Items were picked up Wednesday, December 14, and given to community children in need. The Student and Career Services departments coordinated the annual event.

Van Nuys Children’s Toys
The  Van Nuys Campus staff and faculty spread Christmas cheer by collecting over 25 children’s toys. Play things were picked up Thursday, December 15, for KYDS  (Keep Youth Doing Something.) The organization appreciated Gurnick Academy for collecting toys for less fortunate children. 

Van Nuys Food Drive
Van Nuys Campus leaders, staff, faculty, and students spread Christmas cheer by participating in a food drive for financially struggling children and their families. During the holidays, students and staff were encouraged to purchase an extra can here and there and donate it to a needy family. We collected non-perishables, including canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, soups, tea, and coffee. The drive occurred from November 28–December 14, with collected items picked up Wednesday, December 14 by (KYDS) Keep Youth Doing Something, Inc. Food was distributed right before Christmas. 

Poverello House Coat Drive
During the holiday season, the Fresno Campus teamed up to host a clothing drive for the Poverello House. Warmth, love, and support were provided to those in need via new or gently used clothing donations. Whereby gifts were made via bins within multiple buildings, such as the Lobby, the Student Lounge area, and the Student Learning Resource Center, until Tuesday, December 20. Wishlist items helped keep those in the community warm throughout the winter. Sacramento Plays Santa at Children’s Receiving Home
The Sacramento Campus spread Christmas cheer this year at the Children’s Receiving Home (CRH). Staff and students checked wish lists and played Santa for children on Friday, December 16. In all, over 50 gifts were given out. “Our goal was to spread love and cheer to all the children,” explains Abraham Cicchetti, Campus Director. “We wanted them to feel important and to show them how much they mattered to this community at the time,” he says. More than playthings, the toys represent wish lists by children hoping for Funko Pop Dolls, Legos, fidget toys, and even slime!

The gesture also represents a vision cast by Cicchetti more than two years ago during Sacramento’s annual Big Day of Giving. At the time, Cicchetti held out a neighborly hand and spoke of an alliance between the school and CRH. The Academy has offered donations, gifts in kind, mentoring, and more.

                                 

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