The Concordia community will come together for the 6th Annual CONCORDIAserves, formerly known as CUserves, on Sept. 24. 

This annual giving event has evolved significantly over the years. What started out as a small activity has grown in scope and now involves people performing meaningful acts of service all across the community. As Bil Hood, Senior Director of External Relations, put it, “We understand the love that God has shown us, and that makes us want to share that love with other people.”

There will be plenty of service opportunities for staff, students and alumni this year, both on campus and in the local Orange County community. Amy Bramson, Executive Assistant of University Advancement, detailed the extensive preparations for this year’s event. She said, “We are coordinating with over 20 local nonprofit organizations this year.  In some cases, prepare to get dirty (picking vegetables at the Second Harvest Food Bank Farm) or work with children (St. Paul's Orange) or even help pastors get organized (Abiding Savior).”

For those who prefer to stay closer to campus or can’t participate in person, there are many alternatives to serve remotely. Volunteers can make videos, write letters to residents at nursing homes or volunteer online for organizations like the American Red Cross.

Eliana Clerie, a sophomore Psychology major, made bookmarks and care baskets for people last year. She said, “It was great getting to meet people and serve the community…The most rewarding part was being able to personalize the bookmarks and filling more boxes than the organization needed.”

As the event enters its sixth year, many members of the Concordia community have seen firsthand how the event has evolved and changed. Dr. Bret Taylor, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, has been involved with the event since its early days and offered his thoughts on its development. “We were still piecing together where we could go and what could be offered when we first started,” he said. “Over the past six years, we’ve learned a lot, and the opportunities to serve have really broadened.” 

A particularly memorable moment for Taylor came when he and a group of volunteers worked at a shelter in Orange. “We went there to clean up, and it was eye-opening to see people of all ages and backgrounds in need. It reminded me that help is needed across a wide spectrum,” he said. Taylor is thrilled to be able to give back in a new way this year by donating blood, which is a personal milestone for him. 

In addition to creating a long-lasting effect on the community, CONCORDIAserves provides many students an opportunity to strengthen their bonds with their teams and classmates. After participating in the event for two years in a row, juniors Jessica Borton of the women’s lacrosse team and Audrey Barcenas of the cross country and track and field team regarded it as the highlight of their Concordia experiences. Barcenas sees the event not as a chore, but as a privilege: “You get to help others and build communities. That’s something special.”

Borton shared that her team has often worked with the Jesse Rees Foundation to put together Joy Jars, which contain essentials and messages for children in hospitals. “Every time is a memorable experience,” she said. Since then, she has worn a bracelet from her first event, symbolizing how it has become a part of her life.

Jebb Fox, senior English and Behavioral Science major said, “CONCORDIAserves goes beyond service. It is not just about helping out the community; it is about fellowship as well. We are not individuals helping others. We are a family of like-minded individuals working together.”

Summing up the ethos of the event, Hood said, “We love others because He first loved us.” This guiding principle encapsulates the essence of CONCORDIAserves, emphasizing that acts of kindness and service are rooted in a deeper, faith-driven motivation.

Both on and off campus, the event provides significant service opportunities. For more information visit: cui.edu/aboutcui/community/serving/concordia-serves.

Tags: community

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