The donors’ actions certainly depicted a philanthropic spirit in the traditional sense of the word, and I am sure their donations changed lives and will chart new courses that will transform individuals, communities and advance society enormously.

Philanthropy means “love of mankind.” It typically involves an action aimed at improving a situation or condition by way of financial support. Today, however, a different concept of philanthropy expands the traditional view to include donations of time, talent and treasure in support of others.

Consistent with this notion, I have observed students beautifying communities by picking up litter on Saturday mornings, families donating time by working in food banks packaging meals for the hungry, neighbors providing outreach visitation to seniors in their homes and nursing homes, and still others volunteering in animal shelters and more.

Shouldn’t these acts be considered philanthropic, too? While some choose to give of their treasure, others voluntarily give of their time and talent. And through these efforts, things get done and people’s lives are helped.

What is it that causes us as a society to give in such unselfish ways?

What is it that causes us as a society to give in such unselfish ways? Is it only because we know that others will benefit from our generosity? Or is it also because of something else that comes back to the donor intrinsically that creates a feeling of joy regarding the philanthropic act? We see these altruistic acts displayed over and over again during natural as well as man-made disasters, when families experience personal losses, when individuals need coaching and encouragement in order to attain goals or deal with catastrophic events.

Could society benefit from more of these random acts of kindness directed towards our neighbors? Of course! Communities are as strong and stable as the individuals that reside within them. The question one might ponder is: Can random acts of kindness contribute to and ensure vibrant and sustainable communities today? I believe they can.

Let me propose a possible strategy to achieve such an outcome.

Consider these questions, “How can society create a more generous culture of giving? How can we help people arrive at the point of experiencing the “good feelings” associated with giving more and perhaps taking less? Certainly, family values and actions are factors that influence behaviors, but these behaviors can also be shaped by other components of society, especially schools.

What if the K-20 curricula incorporated a volunteer component such that each student is expected to volunteer during the school year? By including volunteer modules in the curriculum, every student would have exposure to opportunities for selfless giving. If teachers, faculty, administrators, tutors, mentors and other community volunteers teach and reinforce this message, a new culture of “doing good deeds” through volunteerism could evolve.

We all want to live in vibrant communities that are sustainable. If we commit to changing the philanthropic landscape to encompass a society where everyone’s time, talent and treasure are acknowledged, appreciated and valued, then we have an opportunity to make the world a better place.

As we advance this belief, we must challenge the way people think about giving back to communities. The idea of leveraging the nation’s social capital to build stronger communities is attainable. The passion to create thriving communities is grounded in the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

As we strive to transform communities by challenging the way we think about philanthropy, reflect on the fact that we are better together – helping, working, living, building, playing, sharing, problem-solving, singing, dancing, and more. Together, we can create a culture of philanthropy that transforms and sustains communities through a lifetime of service as each of us thinks about sharing our gifts with others and acting on those thoughts.

Brenda S. Thompson is director of community engagement in �鶹ӳ����ý’s College of Community Innovation and Education. She can be reached at Brenda.Thompson@ucf.edu.

The �鶹ӳ����ý Forum is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on �鶹ӳ����ý Today and then broadcast on W�鶹ӳ����ý-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the �鶹ӳ����ý.

Led by Volunteer �鶹ӳ����ý, �鶹ӳ����ý’s inaugural Day and Knight of Service will offer students and members of the community six 4-hour shifts to volunteer for 21 organizations that address a combined 12 social issues.

“This is a great and unique opportunity for us as a community to come together and help make a difference,” said V�鶹ӳ����ý student director Todd Currie. “We are hoping that this event can become a staple in our spring semester programming for years to come.”

The first 12 hours of service will be on campus at Lake Claire, and food and entertainment will be provided as students move among different volunteering opportunities. Four-hour shifts to follow will move volunteers to different sites throughout the community, and then activities will return to campus.

Students have the option of volunteering by themselves or in a team. Awards will be given at the end of the event for categories such as team attendance, most spirited team and total service hours contributed.

More information about the event, including how to register, is at .

V�鶹ӳ����ý expects more than 100 �鶹ӳ����ý students to participate.

“MLK Day of Service gives students the opportunity to give back to the community while honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said V�鶹ӳ����ý Civic Engagement Director Annabelle Gonzales. “My goal is to make our day off from classes a day to impact our community. This year, we wanted to continue to work with the City of Orlando in their efforts to promote civic engagement.”

Along with making a difference in the community, several members of V�鶹ӳ����ý will be recognized for their contributions to a book on civic engagement and service, compiled by �鶹ӳ����ý faculty member Thomas Breyer, an associate professor of public administration. Breyer’s book highlights the impact of community service and volunteerism throughout different countries and cultures.

Earlier this month, �鶹ӳ����ý was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching with its “Community Engagement” classification. A title first awarded to the university in 2008, �鶹ӳ����ý is just one of 25 public universities to hold both the “community engagement” and “very high” in research activity designations.

Students can sign up for the MLK Day of Service through KnightConnect. Transportation and lunch will be provided, and volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. Monday in front of the CFE Arena to be bused to Barker Park.

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, in the honors college lobby, and it will showcase organizations that are part of the Honors Educational Reach Out, or HERO, program.

The fair is a chance for all �鶹ӳ����ý students to learn about different volunteer programs focusing on hunger and homelessness, health and wellness, legal issues, animal rights, the environment, and education.

There also will be information about the Alternative Break Program and Achieve a College Education Day, an annual honors college event that brings 500 fifth graders to �鶹ӳ����ý and shows them the benefits of attending college.

“When you are engaged in the community, you are experiencing real world issues,” said Kelly Astro, director of Research and Civic Engagement for the honors college. “Not only are you gaining a different perspective from being out in the community and working with people that might be a little different from you, but you are realizing how your particular field of study can make an impact, and it makes for a more well-rounded student.”

During the 2013-14 academic year, the honors college had 1,052 volunteers who contributed more than 24,000 civic engagement hours to 28 different schools and community organizations.

For more information about the Civic Engagement Fair and other volunteer opportunities, contact Astro at Kelly.Astro@ucf.edu.

While students have volunteered for the event in the past, this is the first year they get to be part of the action, from food prep to set up to serving and customer service.

So what’s on the menu for Bacchus Bash? The Rosen College booth will offer a red and white wine gelee, chocolate truffles and stilton cheese marinated in a ruby port. Professors also taught students how to carve ice for the event, transforming a large ice block into a gleaming pineapple to adorn the booth.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students to learn and experience what it’s like to run a food and beverage operation in a high pressure setting like a live event,” said Dr. Cynthia Mejia, an assistant professor in the Foodservice and Lodging Management department at Rosen College. “This is where the skills we teach them in class come to life.”

Bacchus Bash will take place Friday, April 4 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Ave. The students’ booth will be located near the Coach store. Admission and parking are free. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit scholarships for local schools, including Rosen College.

During this time of the year I am often reminded of the poem “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. The poem refers to the dates on a person’s tombstone, the birth year and year of death, separated by a dash. The poem makes the point that the dash represents what you did with your life from the time you were born until your death. 

Were you a loving parent? An accomplished researcher? Community volunteer? Respectful child? Maybe you were the person who thought right before passing: “I hope I activated my autoreply.” Or maybe you were the person who during that last minute thought, “Wow. I lived my life intentionally and I invested my time wisely.”

I propose that instead of a dash, this year and every year after we substitute the dash with an exclamation point to symbolize a life lived purposely and intentionally, with excitement and gusto!

How should we achieve this goal? Perhaps by focusing on a short list of activities or things that we may want to try, and setting a time period to complete them to make sure we hold ourselves accountable. Or perhaps make spending time with family and friends a higher priority?

What about setting boundaries between ourselves and our technological habits, such as our cell phones? That way, when we are in a meeting, catching up with a friend at a café, or having dinner with our family, we can really be in the moment, instead of missing the interaction because we are consumed by “capturing” the moment  on camera so that we can enjoy it – later.

After all, it’s not about the destination, but the journey – the everyday; the little things that in retrospect will become the big things, or the fond memories we will retreat to during challenging times.

Or what about making it a goal this year to do something great, something we can all do: volunteer. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace.”

Volunteering or serving to improve one’s community is something we can all do. For some reason, people make volunteering seem like too much of a burden. They become overwhelmed by the thought of becoming involved, because they say they don’t have time, don’t know where to begin, or don’t consider themselves equipped with a skill unique enough to be appreciated or in demand.  However, there are many ways in which you can exercise good citizenship and involvement that will probably lead to a happier, more exclamation-centric life – over the simple dash. 

I invite you to explore mentoring a student or a younger professional, serving on a committee at your local YMCA or chamber of commerce, or reaching out to one of the many nonprofits in your area. Whether you are passionate about the arts, the wellbeing of animals, making connections on behalf of the local Boys & Girls Clubs, or lending your expertise through a community advisory board, there’s an organization or an individual you can positively impact, with little or no financial outlay required.

And the best part is that, more times than not, you will derive just as many benefits than the entity or organization by way of receiving personal fulfillment and a greater sense of community. 

So this year, join the exclamation point movement and make it your best year yet!

Maritza Martinez is director of the �鶹ӳ����ý’s Community Relations department. She can be reached at Maritza.Martinez@ucf.edu.

Earlier this month, Wolf traveled to Hong Kong and Singapore to conduct research on volunteer policing and share his knowledge of volunteer law enforcement in the United States.

In Hong Kong, he met with members of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force — a part-time force that supplements the uniformed foot patrol of the Hong Kong Police. He also toured areas they patrol, such as the Lan Kwai Fong district. “The district is a tourist and nightlife area,” Wolf noted. “I learned how the two policing groups work together to handle large crowds.”

In Singapore, Wolf learned that every male at age 18 must serve two years in the military, police or “civil defence” (fire department) as part of “National Service,” and that the city-state has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

He worked with members of the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Volunteer Special Constabulary. “The latter supplements all aspects of Singapore policing, including criminal investigations, traffic policing, road patrol and neighborhood policing,” Wolf said. “They also serve in the Singapore Police Coast Guard, which is one of the largest branches of the Singapore Police Force.”

Wolf also met with private security leaders from Resort World, an entertainment area that is home to Universal Studios Singapore. He learned about the leaders’ relationship with local police and police volunteers and about tourism-oriented policing.

Most Americans are familiar with volunteer firefighters, but few know about volunteer police officers, said Wolf, an associate professor of criminal justice and associate dean for academic affairs and technology for the College of Health and Public Affairs.

Many American jurisdictions use reserve and auxiliary police to perform police duties, most often as volunteers, he explained. 

�鶹ӳ����ý students have been a beneficiary of Wolf’s partnerships with international volunteer policing programs. In 2011, members of the Singapore Volunteer Special Constabulary visited Orlando and �鶹ӳ����ý to learn about U.S. volunteer policing and speak with criminal justice students about their own activities. And �鶹ӳ����ý students have studied volunteer policing in England during two study abroad programs sponsored by Wolf.

But when Grant heard representatives from Feeding Children Everywhere and �鶹ӳ����ý Fraternity & Sorority Life talk about the number of children in the Central Florida region who don’t know when they will eat their next meal, he realized he was literally holding a way he could help in his right hand.

Grant was attending a �鶹ӳ����ý Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting, which serves regular meals to its membership. He was eating one of those meals when he learned about �鶹ӳ����ý’s Pack to Attack Hunger project and the serious issue of hunger in Central Florida. That’s when he cooked up an idea. He put down the fork he was holding and chose to speak up instead of taking another bite of his meal.

“At our SAAC meetings, they serve us a big dinner – a lot of food,” Grant said. “I thought ‘Why would we need this food? We get Knightro’s. We go to Publix. We have plenty of food.’ So I suggested we sacrifice a week and donate the money that would have gone to us to these kids who need food. Everyone seemed to like the idea.”

SAAC President Afia Charles said the suggestion coming from a big eater like Grant was ironic, but poignant.

“When Joey comes in, the first thing he does is go to the food,” Charles said. “He’ll be polite, stack his plate, wait until everyone has finished eating … then he’ll try to go secretly and get more food and go back to his group. Then, toward the end of the meeting, he’ll go back for even more food. To see that he was willing to give up his dinner on a Monday night to feed people in need, that’s a really big deal. It’s a good thing that you have people out there, who are willing to give up what they have for other people.”

Of his idea, Grant said: “I fill up my plate. I mean, it’s there. But they were bringing up that all these kids don’t know when they’re going to eat next. We know we’re eating at 6:30 every Monday at the SAAC meeting. Everyone thought it was a great idea to sacrifice a meal so these kids can get fed. That’s a lot more important to me than filling myself up on a big plate – or two or three – on a Monday night.”

Assistant Director of Student Services Jessica Francis said the average cost of a SAAC meal is between $150 and $175. Thanks to Grant’s suggestion, �鶹ӳ����ý’s SAAC will skip its scheduled meal on Nov. 4 and donate at least $150 to Pack to Attack Hunger. While it was his idea, Grant didn’t want all the credit, saying others were quick to go along with the plan.

“I’m just glad I could help,” Grant said. “I think it will be good for the community.”

�鶹ӳ����ý’s Pack to Attack Hunger event is slated for Nov. 16 at The Venue at �鶹ӳ����ý. It is a partnership that includes �鶹ӳ����ý Student Government Association, �鶹ӳ����ý Fraternity & Sorority Life, �鶹ӳ����ý Athletics and Feeding Children Everywhere.

To donate, volunteer or get more information about �鶹ӳ����ý’s Pack To Attack Hunger project, visit�鶹ӳ����ý.com.

Game Day Ambassadors work a one game shift for approximately 2 ½ hours at a home football game during tailgating at the Memory Mall as a helpful university resource for home and visiting fans. As an appreciation for working on game day, each ambassador will receive two game tickets for that day’s game, one for you and one for a guest.

Training will be provided, please try to attend one of the following training sessions:

1. Tuesday, August 27, 2013 @ 1- 2 p.m., HPH214A
2. Thursday, September 19, 2013 @ 10-11 a.m., HPH214A

If you are interested in serving as an ambassador this year, or would like more information, contact Rita Simpson or Robert Snow at 407.823.3375, or email: rita.simpson@ucf.edu or robert.snow@ucf.edu.

Football Schedule for all the home games:

On the morning of June 25, a group from the College of Democrats came out and helped clean up trash from the trail. Not only does the group pick up litter, but is an opportunity to form friendships, observe and appreciate the beautiful vegetation and animals that inhabit the trail, and create memorable experiences.

“Many times, there are unusual findings throughout the path,” said Ibrahim. “This time, the group found a grill top intertwined with miscellaneous items and weighed about 30 pounds. We all joined together to dispose of the obscure item and by the time we were finished it was time to head back.”

Ibrahim continued to share his adventure, stating, “On our way out, there was a huge beehive that was blocking the exit. We attempted to find another way out until the bees moved in a different direction, finally allowing us to make our way back to the Lake Claire Pavilion.”

Volunteer Chelsea Aldrich exclaimed, “This is so much fun, I feel like I am on an episode of Survivor.”

V�鶹ӳ����ý is an agency of the Office of Student Involvement in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.