With the holidays upon us, giving back to those a little less fortunate oftentimes takes the spotlight.

Between the 25 service-based student organizations and the large Greek life community, San Diego State University students have contributed countless hours of community service to different causes.

“Giving back to the community completes the college experience,” Robin Klos, president of the Best Buddies organization, said. “It is so much more fulfilling to feel like you are a part of where you live, rather than just completing your academic work.”

Best Buddies, an international nonprofit, helps create friendships between SDSU students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through weekly activities. Recently, they hosted a field day in collaboration with the university soccer teams to give students a chance to learn and play the sport.

“We are looking to foster and grow an environment of inclusion and acceptance while having fun,” Klos said.

Another active student group is the Wishmakers, an organization that seeks to support the local chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which gives children with critical illnesses their “wish” experiences. The club’s goal is to grant one of these wishes per year through fundraising efforts.

“We originated from an SDSU student entrepreneurial class project but wanted to bring it further and actually go through with creating the club,” Carter Holms, president of Wishmakers, said. “Starting last spring we recruited 60 members right off the bat through tabling and student outreach.”

Greek organizations are also important contributors to the service efforts, completing as many as 50,000 hours of community service in previous years. Recent philanthropy efforts included Kappa Alpha Theta’s annual “Rock the CASA” event, which features live music. Money raised from entrance tickets and online donations helps fund Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for foster youth.

“Supporting this organization is important to me because it ensures that children in the system have every opportunity for reaching their true potential,” Dominique Rocha, a Theta member, said. “It also helps in creating a space for these children to feel safe and accounted for.”

Theta exceeded its fundraising goal significantly, generating $20,000 in donations. These funds go to the local CASA organization, Voices for Children, benefiting children in need in San Diego.

Service projects have even gone across the border (pictured above).

The student organization Tijuana Home Build has worked to raise funds to build houses for families living in dire conditions in Tijuana, giving them a safe space to grow and thrive.

“I got involved in TJHB because I grew up in Modesto, California, which is a lower-income agriculture-based community,” Erica Axtell, the director of Tijuana Home Build, remarked. “Although I did not grow up low-income, I had some classmates throughout elementary school who battled homelessness…when I heard about TJHB’s mission, I knew that I had to get involved as I witnessed the differences between the haves and have-nots firsthand growing up.”

The group is in the process of raising money for their upcoming home build in March 2024 after a successful trip last year.

“After the home build trip last March, I was so humbled and in awe of the value of family in the Tijuana community,” Axtell continued. “I literally bought a plane ticket home last year to see my family two days after we got back from the trip. It’s definitely easy to take what you have for granted, so I deeply value community service because it reminds me of what’s truly important.”

Regardless of the cause being supported, students emphasized that philanthropy and service were important for everyone to be involved in.

“As a student, it is very easy to put your head down to only see what is in front of you,” Holms stated. “Many students also live fortunate lives to have the opportunity to go to college. It’s important for students to take a step back and realize how other people’s lives can be very different and help those in need.”

Students also encouraged others to take advantage of the opportunities available on campus.

“The [organizations] on campus are convenient, fun and most of all, they provide students with the opportunity to feel accomplished in a holistic sense,” Klos said. “Community service doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor or something that is ‘boring.’ There are so many opportunities just a five minute walk from your last class of the day, your dorm, or wherever else you might be. And best of all, it can be very fun.”

(Photos courtesy of Robin Klos and Erica Axtel)