UNC Asheville “National Bulldogs are Beautiful” Dayand Alumni (Spring) Season of Service

Purpose:

UNC Asheville alumni are making a difference every day. One month of alumni recognition cannot show in full the University’s appreciation of alumni service and accomplishment, and one season of service cannot meet every need of the community. But, honoring alumni achievement and bringing alumni together in service will both cause a great impact.

UNC Asheville National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day is a day in April designated by the UNC Asheville Alumni Association to show appreciation to alumni volunteers for their time and service. And, UNC Asheville Alumni Season of Service is a time of roughly 3 months for alumni to serve their local communities in the name of UNC Asheville through group and individual volunteer projects. Projects will be alumni-led and reflect the diversity of alumni interests and passions.

Plan of Action:

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and National Volunteer Week is a nationally designated week in April focused on inspiring, recognizing, and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.

In mid-April, during the UNC Asheville Student and Alumni Leadership Awards banquet, the UNC Asheville Alumni Association will honor selected alumni award recipients for their accomplishments and service to UNC Asheville, the community, state, and nation.

In late April, on National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, the UNC Asheville Alumni Association will celebrate Bulldog pride and spirit and recognize alumni volunteer service to UNC Asheville. A blurb on the day, the history of UNC Asheville’s mascot, and Alumni Association recognition of its volunteers will be featured in the April alumni e-newsletter. In addition, a small gift of appreciation will be sent to select alumni who volunteered for their alma mater throughout the past year.

Finally, starting in April and ending in June, the UNC Asheville Alumni Association will encourage alumni to volunteer in a local service project in respective communities around the country throughout the spring season. This open period of service and celebration of Bulldog spirit and pride will demonstrate to all in your region that by working together, Bulldogs meet challenges and accomplish goals.

National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day

Description:

At UNC Asheville we've always known about the splendor that is the Bulldog. Since the university's first sports teams were fielded, our mascot has been the bulldog. "Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day" is a chance for the rest of the country to recognize the special charm of this wonderful creature. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the differences that make each person unique.

History of the UNC Asheville Mascot

Originally called Puck, after a character in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, he was later known as Chug-a-lug, then Winston and eventually Rocky- the name he bears today. Rocky's statue sits outside between the Justice Center and the Sherrill Center. Entering freshmen, departing seniors, and innumerable exam takers rub his head for good luck.

The UNC Asheville Alumni Association also takes this day to thank our Bulldog alumni for their support of the university. By hosting regional events, participating in service programs like Top DAWGS, and showing their pride in UNC Asheville, our alumni continue to show the world that Bulldogs are beautiful!

Alumni Season of Service

Description:

Starting in April and ending in June, the UNC Asheville Alumni Association encourages alumni to join together and volunteer in a local service project in your respective communities around the country throughout the spring season. This open period of service and celebration of Bulldog spirit and pride will demonstrate to all in your region that by working together, Bulldogs meet challenges and accomplish goals.

Since volunteer service can take place throughout the entire spring season, there will be more flexibility and opportunities to find a service site that really means something to you. So what counts as service? Anything! Cleaning up parks, volunteering at shelters, working with animals – but also helping any part of your community that needs a hand. Coach your children’s little league team? That counts. Volunteer at your child’s school? That counts, too! We often forget how much we do in our everyday life is in service to others, and we want to recognize members of the UNC Asheville community who devote their time and effort to giving back to others.

Service work can take place in large groups or on your own. All service will count towards recognition in next year’s National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day and in making a meaningful contribution to your community.

When you volunteer, remember to tell us about the experiences through email, Facebook, or the UNC Asheville Alumni Association website.

Upcoming Opportunities to Serve:

Points of Lighthttp://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/national-volunteer-week

HandsOn Networkhttp://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/signatureevents/nvw

Volunteer Matchhttp://www.volunteermatch.org/?gclid=CITru7T0jb0CFWtk7AodTn8A3w

Idealisthttp://www.idealist.org/

Corporation for National and Community Servicehttp://www.serve.gov/

How to Get Involved:

Get ideas together of how to volunteer and duration (animals, children, impoverished areas) Research Organizations and contact early

o Speak with the coordinator and know: Number of people volunteering Day, time, duration

Send out information to your team/group of volunteers Take pictures and send them to the UNC Asheville Alumni Association!

Ideas for Volunteering

Serve at a local soup kitchen Assist a food bank by collecting cans (ie Manna Food Bank) Help a scout group with a project Plant trees Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity Tutor students at a local school Take care of animals at an Animal Shelter (ie Brother Wolf) Adopt a Highway Deliver meals to homebound individuals Fundraise for an organization