summer of giving Summer is the time when many non-profit organizations are most in need of assistance and this summer, Apollo Group/University of Phoenix took action with the launch of the first-ever Summer of Giving Initiative. Through the months of June, July and August, the company is focusing their efforts on several areas of need that include a sports drive, water drive, food drive, school drive and volunteerism month.

To kick off the campaign in June, campuses and locations collected sports equipment for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The equipment ranging from bats and balls to tennis racquets and golf clubs were delivered to locations company-wide and gave many children the chance to be more than just spectators in the world of sports.

On June 18, we encouraged the company to quench their thirst for giving by participating in a Beat the Heat one day Water Bottle Drive for the Salvation Army’s Extreme Heat Project. Campuses and locations collected an overwhelming amount of sealed water bottles of every shape and size and in just one day, made a huge step towards hydrating the thirsty. In Phoenix alone, we collected over 46,000 water bottles and monetary donations that will buy over 29,400 water bottles!

As we entered the second month of the Summer of Giving, we announced our collaboration with St. Mary’s Food Bank and Feeding America to launch their first-ever Virtual Food Drive. Instead of collecting tangible canned items, employees, students, faculty and staff visited http://smfba.convio.net/universityofphoenix to donate online with proceeds going directly to their local food banks. The two week collection resulted in donations that will provide an estimated 84,000 meals to families in need.

We finished July with our second annual Back-to-School Drive and sent the members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to school with their backpacks filled! Campuses nationwide collected school supplies through both an online component with Staples and by bringing supplies to their locations. With endless amounts of crayons, pencils, notepads, scissors and more; the kids will go into a new school year with the tools they need to become our future alumni!

In August we will conclude the Summer of Giving with an entire month dedicated to volunteerism.

Making Progress at the Campus Progress National Conference

The fifth annual Campus Progress National Conference was held on July 8-9, and University of Phoenix was pleased to sponsor this modern and innovative event. The conference was held to discuss the critical challenges this generation faces, and to develop the ideas, networks and innovations that will help them meet those challenges. Specific activities at the conference included The National Youth Journalism Conference, Journalism in Action, Campus Progress Grassroots Training Day, and the Campus Progress Youth Lobby Day. This event was a great success and University of Phoenix was proud to be a part of it. University of Phoenix had a Ball at the Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo is Chicago’s only free major cultural institution, and the only privately managed free zoo in the United States. On July 10th University of Phoenix was a proud supporter of the 2009 Zoo Ball at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The evening was filled with old and new friends and fond memories amid glittering city views and the zoo’s exotic animal collection. In these challenging economic times, a free cultural destination is more vital than ever for our country. Lincoln Park Zoo’s doors remain open to the public, without charge, 365 days a year – thanks to the support of their many generous donors, such as University of Phoenix.

University of Phoenix was up to the Lifeguard Challenge!

The 29th Annual Ultimate Lifeguard Challenge was held in Tempe, Arizona on July 19th and University of Phoenix was honored to be the event sponsor. The day was filled with various events and competitions for the American Red Cross lifeguards. University of Phoenix employee volunteers were an immense asset to the event, helping to make the event a success! To read more about the volunteers, check out the volunteerism section below!

Leaders were Prepared at the Líderes Summit

University of Phoenix was the Champion Sponsor for the Líderes Summit hosted by the National Council of La Raza on July 24-28 in Chicago, Illinois. The Líderes Summit is the youth leadership development component of the NCLR Annual Conference. The Summit brought together approximately 500 high school and college students, youth leaders, and young activists from student organizations and youth programs throughout the country that are part of NCLR’s Líderes Network. Participants developed leadership and teamwork skills, shared experiences, explored ideas for community involvement and empowerment, and discussed issues that face the Latino community, all while taking advantage of the networking and resources of the NCLR Annual Conference.

University of Phoenix Chicago Provides Scholarships to Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Jermaine Dye Scholarship Program

University of Phoenix Chicagoland continues its support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) by granting 10 deserving recipients with the 2009 Jermaine Dye Scholarship. The program began in 2007 and was named after Jermaine Dye, in honor and appreciation of his volunteerism and involvement with the BGCC. Its purpose is to enable qualified BGCC club members, staff and club alumni who may not otherwise be able to attend college, the opportunity to attend University of Phoenix. The scholarships include full tuition, books and fees at University of Phoenix and/or Axia College of University of Phoenix, which offers associate’s degree programs. To celebrate the scholarship winners, the recipients attended a private pre-game event at the White Sox stadium where Roland Helmond, former general manager for the Chicago White Sox and Dan Migala, author of Dugout Wisdom, Dugout Wisdom, author Dan Migala addressed the winners. Prior to the game the recipients were also invited onto the field where they were recognized for their accomplishments and met Jermaine Dye.

University of Phoenix Sent Hunger Packing with St. Mary’s Food Bank

On June 9th, representatives from University of Phoenix were in attendence at the St. Mary’s Food Bank “Send Hunger Packing!” event. The luncheon was meant to bring awareness to the hunger crisis that is happening in Arizona and around the world, and it people from across the state came to the event to show their support.

University of Phoenix Partners with HandsOn Network for United We Serve

This June representatives from University of Phoenix were proud to be in attendance at the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco. The conference, co-convened by the Points of Light Institute and the Corporation for National and Community Service, is the largest gathering of volunteering and service leaders in the country. During the opening session, First Lady Michelle Obama annouced the United We Serve initiative, a sustained effort to expand the size and impact of volunteer efforts in America. During the conference HandsOn Network announced an exciting partnership with University of Phoenix that will enable large-scale mobilization around United We Serve. The partnership will transform the capacity of people to take action and self-organize through an online learning platform during United We Serve and beyond. University of Phoenix is proud to be joining hands with such a great organization for such an inspiring initiative.

A New Era of Responsibility at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service

The 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service was held in California on June 22-24 and presented by the Points of Light and Hands On Institutes. University of Phoenix was proud to be a key sponsor of the conference. Speakers at the conference included First Lady Michelle Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Matthew McConaughey. The National Conference on Volunteering and Service is the world’s largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. A main focus of the conference was President Obama’s summon to the nation to “a new era of responsibility” and personal engagement so solve the nation’s most pressing problems.

Bowling for Kids’ Sake at BOWL MANIA

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona held the BOWLMANIA event in Phoenix on June 20th. University of Phoenix was not only a proud sponsor, but there were also 16 teams of five from University of Phoenix who, alone, raised over $4,000! The overall total for this one-day event was $43,648, all to go towards those benefited by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Everyone who Bowled for the Kids’ Sake is to thank for the wonderful success of this great event.

University of Phoenix puts First Things First

University of Phoenix had the pleasure to sponsor First Things First’s augural Kurt Warner First Things First Golf Classic and Evening With Champions Dinner on June 5th in St. Louis, Missouri. All the proceeds from this event benefited the outreach of First Things First, a public charity started in 2001 by Kurt and Brenda Warner to reach out to the community. Events of the day included an afternoon on the golf course and a dinner and auction featuring inspirational stories and a trip down memory lane with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner and friends from the 1999 Rams team.

Educating the Heart with the Cesar Chavez Foundation

University of Phoenix sponsored the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s Educating the Heart Awards Dinner on June 2. Our own Manny Rivera was given the opportunity to present an award to one of the 72 teachers who completed a service-learning project with Cesar Chavez. The Cesar Chavez Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving communities by preserving, promoting and applying the legacy and universal values of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez.

University of Phoenix embarks on a Summer of Giving!

Summer is the time when many non-profit organizations are most in need of assistance and this summer, Apollo Group/University of Phoenix took action with the launch of the first-ever Summer of Giving Initiative. Through the months of June, July and August, the company is focusing their efforts on several areas of need that include a sports drive, water drive, food drive, school drive and volunteerism month.

IIn August we concluded the Summer of Giving with an entire month dedicated to volunteerism. Throughout August, campuses nationwide were encouraged to participate in volunteer activities in their communities, and here in Phoenix employees gave back in big ways as well. Each week focused on a different volunteering outlet. Visit in the community to read more!

Nurses of the Year Recognized by University of Phoenix

The 6th Annual Nurses of the Year Awards Gala, presented by the March of Dimes, was held on August 29th and University of Phoenix was a proud sponsor and attendee of the event. This elegant black-tie optional evening affair recognized outstanding nurses throughout Arizona, championed the profession of nursing, created awareness of the nursing shortage facing the state of Arizona and supported the mission of the March of Dimes. University of Phoenix is honored to support such a worthy cause as nursing in this time when the nursing profession shortage is at an all-time high.

University of Phoenix Host Sponsor for the 35th Annual ALPFA Conference

University of Phoenix was proud to be the Host Sponsor for the 35th Annual Convention for the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting. This year’s convention was held in Boston, MA on August 7th-11th. University of Phoenix was well represented at the convention with over 25 attendees from the Boston Campus, Corporate Accounting, Strategic Academic Alliances, Student Financial Aid, and External Affairs Divisions. The conference focused on continuing education for Finance and Business related professions while also promoting Hispanic leadership. University of Phoenix had the honor of presenting two different workshops for the 2000+ conference attendees. University of Phoenix looks to continue its support of the Hispanic community and ALPFA in the upcoming years.