Reach 13,000’s first event of the semester

The Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) program hosted its first Reach 13,000 event of the semester- Constitution Day. This was one of the four major events that CLC will host this school year.

Reach 13,000 is a campus-wide event whose main goal is to collect 13,000 non-perishables and other items that can be donated to the university’s food pantry as well as the 12 St. Clinic.

Constitution Day was a collaborative event of raising donations and informing students about the Constitution. There were voter registrations and handouts about the Constitution set up at the donation table. Students were informed about the constitution and encouraged to register to vote.

Because of campus events like these, students, faculty and staff have access to resources whenever they’re in need. Reach 13,000 has positively impacted the people who have used the services of the university’s food pantry.

“Reach 13,000 is a great way to show the campus that we can all pull together and do something amazing,” said Rebecca Davis, the Interim Program Coordinator.

The motto this year is to go above and beyond. Even though the goal is to collect 13,000 can goods, Davis wants to push the campus to collect 15,000 items. If the goal is met, this will be the tenth year in a row they have reached it.

Not only is CLC actively making a change in food insecurity on campus, but it also is structured to positively impact the students around the campus.

“Thirty minutes ago this girl walked up to me and said I don’t know if you remember me from two years ago but what you did [for] me changed my life. I’m on a better path,” said Kajal Desai, a CLC Leader.

These are the words of a mentee who was under the mentorship of Desai. Desai expressed that being a scholar in the CLC program opens doors for people who may not have great opportunities. She said that being a part of CLC is a life-changing experience.

The other Reach 13,000 events are the ninth annual battle of the talents, dodgeball tournament and a kickball tournament. The battle of the talents will be held on Nov. 7 and the other events will be held next semester.