By Swati Ranjan, Guest Writer
Thundercares is the community care event organised by Thunderbird Student Government (TSG) every semester. It is a way T-birds contribute to the society. Thundercares for fall 2015 trimester was organised on 21st November 2015 by Ritika Sinha (MBA’ 16, India) and Swati Ranjan (MGM’ 16, India) representing community outreach chair of TSG.
Photo courtesy of Swati Ranjan
In total 56 Tbirds participated in the event that took place in five different places: Goodwill Thrift Shop, Arizona Humane Society (Thrift Store), St. Mary’s Food Bank, The Japanese Friendship Garden, Valley life. At the Goodwill Thrift Shop, located about 25 miles from Thunderbird, Abishek Munshi (MBA’16, India) led students to the location. The volunteers’ were involved in segregation of books, cassettes, and CDs helping with the recycling process run by the center as well as the pre-packing for international donation.
The Japanese Gardens began with an early morning rise at 7am in Downtown Phoenix. Nash Wills (MAGM’ 17, US), led ten students who tended to the pristine gardens started by the Sister Cities initiative. The garden was designed and built by the Japanese. The garden also offers monthly tea sessions to the community to help calm and centre the surrounding Phoenicians. The Thunderbird group helped to rake leaves, fertilize beds, and trim trees all through the garden. It was truly a peaceful and rewarding experience!
Photo courtesy Swati Ranjan
Valley life is committed to providing high-quality programs and services to disabled individuals and their families who require a family living environment, vocational training, day program services or in-home care. Hundreds of parents throughout our community depend on VALLEYLIFE to provide safe, loving and consistent care to their children and adult family members with special needs. A team of 10 Tbirds, led by Travis Hokkam (MAGM’17, US), conducted yard work and plantation activities in the mental health community centre of valley life.
Photo courtesy Candice Sparkes
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance offers an array of programs designed to help those in need receive food and other types of assistance, and offer opportunities for individuals and organizations to get involved, make financial donations, and volunteer their time, effort and resources. A team of 7 Tbirds under the leadership of Candice Spark (MBA’15) collected donation of $2054.33 (approx) and 147 turkeys.
At the Arizona Humane Society Thrift Shop, located about 15 miles from Thunderbird, Harry Ar-toe Gkornean (MGM’16) led a team of eight students to the Thrift Shop. The volunteers cleaned the store, made Christmas tree and segregated the clothes, CDs and books, which arrive at the store in large bags.