Schar School Undergrads and Alumni Pitch In to Help Out

Two teams of Schar School of Policy and Government representatives—undergraduates and alumni—recently demonstrated how students and former students stay engaged with the George Mason University community by volunteering their time and effort to help local nonprofits.

In late March, members of the Schar School Undergraduate Student Organization spent three hours picking up trash in Loudoun County, Va., as part of the “Keep Loudoun Beautiful: Cascades Trash Bash Community Cleanup Campaign.”

“As an organization representing the undergrad student body of the Schar School, the students felt it was important to give back to their community and take part in cleaning up the roads, pathways, and streams—which proved challenging,” said SSUSO spokesman Ameen Karim. “Trash accumulation, when not controlled, damages our environment, wildlife, and well-being of our community. This was a great opportunity to make a difference, no matter how small.”

In early April, the Schar School Alumni Board volunteered to help at the Arlington Food Assistance Center, which for 31 years has provided access to nutritious supplemental groceries to thousands of families in Arlington, Va.

“Our alumni are making an impact in government, nonprofits, and businesses,” said board member Jenny Walters, MPP ‘08. The effort at the nonprofit “demonstrates that our students’ drive to make a difference doesn’t end when their classes do.”

See here for the next alumni volunteer, career, and social opportunities.