High Point University’s Media Fellows hosted a Veterans Care Package event to collect supplies from students and assemble them for care packages.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 31, 2019 – Throughout the month of October, High Point University students, faculty and staff hosted programs to benefit the local community and beyond. These efforts are part of the 110,000+ hours of service and thousands of dollars that the HPU family contributes each year to local causes.
Zeta Tau Alpha Plants Seeds for Hope During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
On Monday, Oct. 28, the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority held a special Seeds of Hope event in the Cottrell Amphitheater, unveiling a breast cancer ribbon garden and honoring those who have been affected by breast cancer with ribbons. Prior to the event, the sorority sold plants and planted seeds for hope during Zeta’s Think Pink Week to raise awareness and educate individuals on breast cancer prevention in alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Spreading awareness around the importance of prevention and recognizing those who are impacted by breast cancer was such a rewarding experience for our chapter,” said Lexi Sanders, HPU senior and president of Zeta Tau Alpha. “I am grateful to the university for promoting such a philanthropic culture and supporting efforts like this to positively impact the lives of others.”
HPU Media Fellows Deliver Care Packages to Veterans
High Point University’s Media Fellows hosted a Veterans Care Package event to collect supplies from students and assemble them for care packages. The packages were assembled by students and delivered to the Guilford County Veterans Services to support homeless veterans of the Triad.
From Monday, Oct. 21 to Friday, Oct. 25, students were encouraged to drop off toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes and more at the Slane Student Center.
“Aligning with the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, we wanted to host an event that supports local homeless veterans,” says Faith Foushee, HPU sophomore and service chair of the Media Fellows program. “The university is committed to philanthropy, especially at the local level, and I am fortunate to lead these efforts for the Media Fellows program.”
HPU Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy Students Help Address Food Insecurity
Earlier this month, 16 students from High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy partnered with universities around the Triad to pack over 20,000 meals for Feed the Hunger, a Christian mission organization. More than 150 students came together to pack 84 boxes of meals for Haiti and Bangladesh families in need.
“Everyone has a basic right to food,” said Danielle Walker, student at HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. “The food we helped pack will help parents to feed their children, and I am thankful for the opportunity to support this initiative.”
HPU Physical Therapy Halloween Family 5k Fun Run and Walk
High Point University’s Department of Physical Therapy hosted its third annual Halloween Family 5k Fun Run and Walk, raising funds for the HPU physical therapy student scholarship fund.
Throughout the year, HPU serves the High Point community at a pro bono physical therapy clinic. HPU faculty and physical therapy doctorate students provide their professional services at no cost to patients in need.
Participants in both the Halloween Family 5K Fun Run wore costumes and took part in Halloween-themed activities for children, including music, games and trunk or treat, while enjoying refreshments from food trucks.
“As we graduate the next wave of physical therapists, it is important to instill the value of community engagement,” said Dr. Eric Hegedus, founding chair of HPU’s Department of Physical Therapy. “By hosting the Halloween DPT 5K Family Fun Run and Walk, we are raising funds for future physical therapy students, engaging the local community and encouraging participants to get their bodies moving – it’s a win-win.”
HPU Bonner Coat Drive
High Point University Bonner students collected 50 coats during the month of October for area nonprofits in the city of High Point.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to support this mission,” says Loren Bowser, an HPU Bonner student who helped organize the coat drive. “As temperatures drop and winter moves in, my hope is for every child and adult in need throughout this community to have a nice warm coat.”
Bowser encourages individuals to donate clean and gently used or new winter coats for children and adults through Nov. 15.
The nonprofits who will benefit from the coat drive include D-UP, Macedonia Family Resource Center, The Community Writing Center and Leslie’s House.
The Bonner Leader Program is a four-year responsibility. Students commit to 6-8 hours of community service each week, culminating in over 200 hours of community service during each academic year.
In addition to consistent service with community partners, the Bonner Leader Program promotes leadership development in students through participation in the Civic Responsibility and Social Innovation program. This minor engages Bonners in weekly training and reflection workshops, team and skill-building activities, ethics courses, persuasive speaking courses, and a community-engaged capstone project.
HPU TOPSports Program and Award Ceremony
High Point University students and faculty concluded the fifth annual TOPSports program by spending an afternoon on the field and recognizing participants with an award ceremony.
TOPSports is a community-based sports program that is designed to meet the needs of children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The program is intended to improve the overall fitness, self-esteem and social skills of children ages 4-21 years old.
This is the fifth year HPU’s Stout School of Education hosted the TOPSports outreach program, held every Sunday for six weeks at Vert Stadium or Crowder Field on HPU’s campus.
“This program gives participants with physical or intellectual disabilities an opportunity they normally would not have,” said Dr. Rick Overstreet, assistant professor of health and physical education at HPU and director of the TOPSports program. “Being around them touches your heart and makes you want to do more for them. Seeing the progress they make is so rewarding for them, their parents, the HPU students involved and myself.”
Members of HPU’s Men’s Soccer team, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Alpha Omega Phi service fraternity, education majors and many other clubs and individuals around campus come together to make the event possible.