We hear about Dance Marathon, Relay for Life and Gators March for Babies all year. A day rarely goes by where someone isn’t wearing an “FTK” shirt or selling donuts for donations in Turlington. Not to say that all of these causes aren’t great, but everyone seems to know about them and what they stand for. There are so many other amazing, local charitable organizations that not many people know about. Here are just some of the really cool groups that you can get involved in.
1. Enactus
Enactus is a global non-profit organization that seeks to improve the world through entrepreneurship. Enactus uses business to create service projects. The UF chapter of Enactus is currently working on seven projects. Some of these projects include working with homeless people to help them get employed and educating college students on debt, investing and other aspects of personal finance.
2. Best Buddies
Best Buddies seeks to create “one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities.” Best Buddies programs can be found across the United States and the world. The UF-based program puts on numerous events, such as the Friendship Ball, which is a dance for buddies, as well as the Friendship Walk, which is held on Norman Field and benefits the program.
3. Cupcakes for a Cure
This organization is aimed toward raising money for those affected by pediatric cancer. Cupcakes for a Cure raises money by selling donated cupcakes from local bakeries. They also have fundraising events around the Gainesville area at various restaurants as well as educational forums on campus.
4. Big Heart Gators
Big Heart Gators promotes registering as an organ donor. According to the group, 87 percent of people in the United States support organ donation, however only 50 percent are registered. They are mainly active during the month of February. They have tabling events in the Plaza of the Americas to register people to become organ donors.
5. Gator Smiles
This club works with UF Health to offer children cleft lip/palate surgeries across the globe. On campus, they raise money through various events to support their cause. A few of their events this past year include a Jason’s Deli fundraiser as well as an ESPN Tournament Challenge. They also host the Miles for Smiles 5K, which is held on Gale Lemerand Drive in the UF Commuter Lot.
6. Campus Kitchen
Campus Kitchen takes leftover food from all sorts of areas around town, such as sorority and fraternity houses or restaurants, and brings them to local clients. Some of their clients include elementary schools as well as the Boys & Girls Club. They were founded in 2008 and have been providing meals via food sustainability efforts ever since. There are multiple other Campus Kitchens across the country.
7. HOPE – HOrses Helping PEople, Inc.
Students can get involved with “HOrses Helping PEople,” or HOPE. HOPE is a local charity in Archer. It utilizes equine therapy to help people with special needs. Equine therapy can help improve “physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills.” There are therapy sessions Monday through Wednesday as well as some riding lessons.
8. Children Beyond Our Borders
Children Beyond Our Borders, or CBOB, seeks to empower children through education. The organization believes that education is the key to allowing children to achieve their full potential. They’re very active on campus, as they’ve held a Zumbathon as well as multiple fundraisers at restaurants around town. Each summer they take a mission trip to Colombia and Nicaragua.
These are just a few of the organizations you can help out with if you’re in the charitable spirit. Instead of running to get involved with an organization that all of your friends are in, maybe try to find something more unique. There are so many philanthropies out there that can fit your major or interests. You can find some even more awesome groups on GatorConnect.
Photo Credit: news.warrington.ufl.edu