Mason Gives Back to the Community: Spotlight on Service
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Mason is known not only for providing an innovative and enriching educational experience for students, but is also gaining attention for providing outreach programs that connects students with their community through service. Below are some of the initiatives in which Mason has given back to the local and global communities.
Go Green with Gunston
One of the most recent community outreach programs was prompted by the partnership between the National Energy Education Development project (NEED) and the Office of Community Relations at Mason. "Go Green with Gunston" is a program that provides an interactive environmental education program for elementary school children grades K-3 that participate in the School Age Child Care program in Fairfax County, VA. Gunston, George Mason's University's lovable, furry, green community ambassador, along with his friend Mason, a non-costumed actor/educator, visits students and engages them in songs, stories, and games about going green. For more information, visit the Go Green with Gunston website.
Mason's Invisible Children Club
Mason's Invisible Children Club raises funds for projects to aid child soldiers in African countries. Last summer, three of the club's members attended the Fourth Estate, a conference in San Diego that connects social justice organizations working to promote the causes of Invisible Children. Throughout the year, the Invisible Children Club raises money for their causes through a variety of fun and creative events. For more information, visit Mason's Invisible Children Club website.
Engineers Across Borders Outreach to Peru
Dr. Barry Liner, Mason's Director of International Engineering Programs, co-led a small team of Mason students with Dr. Michael Gilmore, Mason ethno-biologist, to evaluate the water and sanitation needs of the remote, indigenous Maijuana people of Peru. Over the winter break, the assessment team visited the Peruvian Amazon to conduct hands-on research and determine the feasibility for implementing appropriate engineering infrastructure to address clean water needs. This summer, Dr. Gilmore and Dr. Liner will accompany students to Peru to engage with the local communities and teach them how to build and maintain BioSand water filters. For more information, visit this website.
These are a few examples of the many ways Mason gives back to its local and global communities.
If you or your student would like to become more involved in our Mason community, we encourage you to join some of the following opportunities below:
New Living Learning Community to Launch in Fall 2012
In Fall 2012, the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement will be launching a new Living Learning Community that allows students to learn about social concerns and how to take action within their community. Students will be able to live with other civically active students and participate in leadership courses and create action plans to address community concerns. To learn more, visit the webiste here.
Relay for Life, Saturday, April 21- April 22
Relay for Life is a walkathon event that raises money and awareness about cancer. This event is a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to become a part of a community event against the disease. At Relay for Life, teams of people camp out at George Mason University and take turns walking or running around the track. This overnight event runs for 24 hours, however participants are welcome to become involved as much as they would like. For more information or to join a team, please visit gmurelay.org
We will be posting more volunteer opportunities as they become available. Check out the Mason Family Association Facebook page for the most recent updates on how to become involved at Mason with your family!
Jennifer Burns
Graduate Assistant
Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services
