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Next week kicks off the long-held junior class tradition, Charity Week — and as the UD community gathers on Monday, Oct. 15, Catholics around the world also celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Ávila, Virgin, Doctor of the Church. Lasting through Saturday, Oct. 20, the entire University of Dallas campus will raise funds for two nonprofits that align with the university’s Catholic identity.
Under the guidance of committee co-chairs, Gretel Lim, BA ’20, and Katrine “Kat” Christensen, BA ’20, along with a team of nearly two dozen coordinators and volunteers, UD’s Class of 2020 hopes to raise more than $20,000 in donations. This year’s Charity Week theme: “Jurassic Park,” which provided further inspiration behind the slogan, “Charity Finds a Way!”
By selecting both new charities — Guide Dogs of Texas and Rays of Light — this year’s Charity Week organizers hope to re-emphasize UD’s support of charities that follow the Catholic teachings of the university, while giving students the opportunity to explore and experience different ways of making a difference.
Guide Dogs of Texas increases the freedom, mobility and independence of visually impaired Texans by providing them with a guide dog for $1, whereas Rays of Light provides free care to families with children with special needs, across the spectrum, in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area.
“Both of these charities were chosen because they support life beyond conception. These charities align well with our UD mission to respect all life because they minister to the disenfranchised and their caregivers in essential, practical ways,” said Charity Week committee co-chairs Lim and Christensen in an email earlier this week to the UD community.
“Not only does Guide Dogs of Texas initially provide the dog, but this charity maintains the care of the dog for as long as its service is needed. … With their volunteers, nurses and off-duty Dallas police officers, Rays of Light offers a loving and nurturing environment for children while their parents enjoy a night out,” said committee co-chairs Lim and Christensen.
“We greatly appreciate any contribution ... your support helps our goal of making these charities succeed,” the co-chairs continued. “Your contribution not only supports local charities, but also the current students of our beloved alma mater.”
