Service Moments

Event Overview: Baltimore is home to prestigious cancer treatment centers that draw patients from across the state and the country. Hope Lodge offers a home away from home for patients and their caregivers, allowing them to receive long-term care without the added financial strain. Faculty and staff from Adtalem, Chamberlain, and Walden hosted 60 patients and their caregivers at Hope Lodge, providing lunch and dinner, creating uplifting cards, and preparing snack bags for movie nights in the entertainment room.

Event Impact:

• Walden volunteered 52 hours during the event.
• Chamberlain volunteered 4 hours during the event.
• Adtalem volunteered 8 hours during the event.
• The team prepared over 60 meals for lunch and dinner, 60 snack bags, and dozens of personalized inspirational cards.

Volunteer Quotes:

The staff were friendly, the residents were wonderful and super appreciative! I would love to return next year. -Cherese Scarbor-Harrison,

Seeing those who appreciated our volunteer efforts, lunch, and the small things was good for the soul. – Lisette Castro

The experience was very rewarding. Patients who were staying at the Hope Lodge were extremely grateful for our presence and participation. – John Rawlings

It was a great day of service at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. I attended both sessions and had a delightful time with the staff, the volunteers, and the residents/caregivers. – Bernadette Lawrence

Event Overview: Every Third Saturday is dedicated to assisting veterans in discovering new purpose and growth following their military service, with a focus on promoting post-traumatic success. In alignment with this mission, Walden colleagues have contributed their efforts in several meaningful ways. They supported the agency by participating in building beautification and cleaning initiatives, preparing items for the Annual Gala event, which hosted 200 attendees, and providing water and snacks for the food pantry.

Event Impact:

• Seventeen (17) Walden faculty, staff, and family volunteered 5 hours
• A total of 85 hours of dedicated service time.

Volunteer Quotes:

Every Third Saturday is an amazing organization that impacts the lives of veterans. I hope we can continue volunteering there every year! it was an uplifting and meaningful time spent with Walden colleagues. An A+ experience on all levels – Dina Bergren, Associate Director

ETS is serving the veteran community on a daily basis with its holistic support services. I was grateful to be part of the Walden team helping them complete tasks and projects that needed to be completed to ensure ETS has the resources they need to provide veterans.       – Terren Rye

This was a great way to give back to the community. It was very rewarding knowing that we were making a difference in the lives of the veterans at a place that provides peace and support for them. I truly respect everything our military service individuals do for our country. They do what others can or will not. – Scott Daughety

 I enjoyed seeing the facilities and learning more about the services that the organization provides for veterans. – Greg Murphy, Senior Student Success Advisor

Event Overview: The enduring issues of food insecurity and high poverty rates in Arizona have driven Walden volunteers and their families to contribute their efforts towards alleviating these challenges. The team actively engaged in service by loading bags and boxes of food into vehicles and shopping carts for distribution, aiming to bridge the gap in access to adequate nourishment for Arizona communities. The distribution center serves a significant number of residents, with approximately 600 to 950 cars passing through daily to receive much-needed assistance.

Event Impact:

• Forty-two (42) Adtalem, Walden faculty, staff, and family volunteered 5 hours of service each for the event.
• Walden volunteered 210 hours during the event.
• 5 family members of Walden staff participated in the project.

Volunteer Quotes:

This was a great experience packing up food for carts at St. Mary's Food Bank. It was a great way to see my co-workers and interact with each other to lend a helping hand. – Deborah Morris

It really felt good, and I know we were able to directly help a lot of people. – Brandon Fuller

This is a great event because it serves so many people! Working in the food box packing and distribution center was hard work, but it was fun as well. Very rewarding experience. – Kathleen Medlyn

It was a great experience, and very nice to work side by side with my coworkers. I noticed that there were a lot of people from all backgrounds who needed food from this food bank.   – Julia Barone

Loved making boxes of food for those who needed it. I hope it helps all that came to feel more food secure. During a hard time. We have all been there before, and it is nice to be able to pay it forward today.  – Heather Shouse

Event Overview: In an effort to fight back against hunger, Walden faculty and staff participated in sorting and packing food boxes within one of the largest food distribution service areas in Southwest Texas. The San Antonio Food Bank serves 29 counties across Southwest Texas, serving families from Atascosa to Zavala Counties who are at risk of going hungry.

Event Impact:

• Thirteen (13) Walden faculty, staff, and family volunteered 5 hours of service each for the event.
• Walden volunteered 65 hours during the event.
• Joined by an unexpected ally—a Walden Nursing alumna volunteered with the group
• In total, there was an impressive 10,000 pounds of fresh produce packaged into 2,110 bags for distribution to under-resourced preschoolers to provide essential nutrition during the weekends.

Volunteer Quotes:

It is always a great time to give back to the San Antonio Food Bank.
The food we bagged will go directly to children in need, straight to their homes.
I look forward to more volunteer activity outside of work and also when next year rolls around with Walden.  – Joanna Zamarron, Customer Care Advising Support

It was a great experience working with others from Walden to give back to our local community. We put together fresh produce bags that will be delivered to families within the upcoming week, making an immediate positive impact. It makes me proud to be a part of this initiative and I look forward to contributing again! – Breanne Joseph

 We packed 2,110 produce bags. These nutritious bundles will find their way into the hands of underprivileged preschoolers, offering vital support during weekends. In total, we handled a whopping 10,000 pounds of fresh produce. We probably won't eat cucumbers, carrots, or potatoes for a long time, but our hearts are full! – Steven Hernandez

It was great seeing colleagues that I hadn't seen in a long time and, at the same time, contributing to the community. – Jennie Salazar