Several longstanding FCSC programs will benefit from the event, including: Bona Buddies, a youth mentoring program pairing Bona students with local children; Silver Wolves, connecting students with elders in the community; Break the Bubble, sending students off campus to participate in service projects; SBU Food Pantry, offering support to campus community members experiencing food insecurity; Bona Scouts, bringing the excitement of scouting to young lives; SBU@SPCA, offering Bona students the opportunity to spend time with homeless dogs and cats; and The Warming House, one of the nation’s oldest student-run soup kitchens, where students offer fellowship and a hot meal to local guests in need.

“As Christians, we are called to love one another. As Bonnies, one of the ways we do that is through the outreach ministries of the FCSC,” said Alice Miller Nation, director of University Ministries. 

She noted that the FCSC provides internships, service experiences and leadership opportunities that help transform students into community-conscious citizens. Also offered are academically credited opportunities to study both causes and solutions to social problems.

“We want our students to leave this university with a Franciscan heart, recognizing and responding to the human and spiritual needs of their community members,” she said.

Donations made to the FCSC during #GivingTuesdayatBonas will help keep these programs active and relevant, Miller Nation said, noting that operation costs are upwards of $150,000 per year. 

“Every donated dollar matters and makes a difference,” she said. 

Also benefitting from the crowdfunding event will be varsity rugby and club sports.

“We take great pride in our club sports community,” said Rob DeFazio, associate dean for Student Life. “Our team members represent what it means to be a Bonnie, embodying the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and unity.”

Contributions to the teams or to club sports overall during #GivingTuesdayatBonas will 
aid in acquiring equipment, covering travel expenses for competitions, funding professional development opportunities for coaches and players, and providing postseason opportunities to deserving athletes.

“We have seen the impact that varsity men’s rugby, women’s rugby, ice hockey and all the other club sports have directly made in enhancing the student experience at St. Bonaventure,” DeFazio said. “To be able to continue to play a sport you love while representing St. Bonaventure means a great deal to our students.” 

The community is invited to visit www.sbu.edu/GivingTuesday now through Nov. 28 to donate and to use #GivingTuesdayatBonas on all social media channels to help spread the word. For more information or to make a gift by phone, please contact SBU’s Advancement Services at (716) 375-2328.

Giving Tuesday, created in 2012, is an annual international day of charitable giving that brings together individuals, communities and organizations to make a positive impact.