Islanders give on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is an internationally recognized day dedicated to helping others. According to the official Giving Tuesday website, over 40,000 organizations across 71 countries have participated.

“It was wonderful, and it exceeded all of our expectations,” said Ann DeGaish, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students. DeGaish was in large part responsible for the events TAMU-CC participates in for Giving Tuesday, which has been going on for the past five years.

“Last year we were around 525 service hours,” said DeGaish, “and it looks like this year we will be around 825 and 835 service hours in one day.”

Giving Tuesday provides an opportunity for people who are new to town or are unsure where to start volunteering.

“There were people who had never volunteered before in our community who were out there doing stuff, and they loved it,” said DeGaish.

Dr. Kelly Quintanilla, President of TAMU-CC, volunteered her time at Loaves and Fishes, serving food to those in need.

“We want you to be community leaders and engage and volunteer and serve,” said Quintanilla, “so we have to demonstrate that and show you that we live that lifestyle too.”

“For many many years I was a waitress, going through college that’s what I did and I thought this might be a good place I can help because I have those skillsets,” continued Quintanilla.

There were 17 different sites for participants to volunteer at, including packing meals for Kids Against Hunger, grooming horses at Glenoak Therapeutic Riding Center and serving meals at Loaves and Fishes.

“We would love to add some additional sites,” said DeGaish, when asked about plans for next year.

Students wanting to volunteer should stay tuned for The Big Event, which takes place in March.