educator
Corner
by Tim Griffin, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
and Campus Pastor at Grand Canyon University
Holiday Season a Time
to Reflect, Give Back
F
rom festive fields of red and
green to the hustle and bustle
of holiday shopping, this is the
time to be swept up in the spirit of the
season.
But what does that truly mean?
At Grand Canyon University, the
spirit of the season is about much
more than the oohs and ahhs
exchanged on Christmas morning
over mounds of brightly wrapped
gifts. Rather, it’s about reflecting on
the time that’s passed, the time ahead,
and most of all, reaching out to those
in need.
AVONDALE
10320 W. McDowell Road
623-643-9233
PEORIA
8801 W. Union Hills Drive
623-241-9026
Check www.GoodNightPeds.com for additional locations
Know a GREAT KID that
deserves recognition?
TELL US!
www.inthezona.com
Are you a business who supports kids,
their education and families?
CALL US!
(602) 391-6326
In the ZONA Magazine...
Where good kids
can be famous too!
6 \ December 2013
In the
TM
Have you thought of ways you can
make a difference this holiday
season? If not, consider:
Helping put food on Valley tables.
For many, the holiday meal is the
focal point of Christmas Day. Yet
thousands of families right here
in our community struggle with
poverty. While tables may be
overflowing with turkey and all the
trimmings, more than one in five
families in our state do not have
enough money to buy the food they
need on a daily basis, according
to the Food Research and Action
Center. Donating food items, cash
or time serving others at a local food
bank is one of the most rewarding
ways to celebrate the season.
Being Santa. One of the GCU
community’s favorite ways to give
back this time of year is through its
Canyon Cares Christmas program,
where staff and students choose tags
with gift ideas for local children
in need. Gifts are purchased,
wrapped and then given to the
families represented by each tag.
Launching your own Canyon Cares
or participating in worthy programs
such as Angel Trees at shopping malls
also can go a long way in making
Christmas special for families across
the Valley. Tags include gender, age
and a list of wish list items from a
small toy or gadget to basic essentials
as simple as socks and warm sweaters.
Performing selfless acts of kindness.
During the holidays – like always
– the best gifts are selfless acts
of kindness. So why not seek out
opportunities in the local community
to get involved, mobilize others and
spread holiday cheer? In GCU’s
“Canyon Corridor,” more than 300
families are united for an afternoon
lunch and crafts. There are dozens
more events across the Valley that
are clamoring for volunteers and
supporters. Contact any of our
community’s vast number of churches
or nonprofit organizations for details
on how to help.
While it is easy to get swept up in the
holiday frenzy, the spirit of the season
is about giving from the heart and
remembering those less fortunate.
After all, there is no greater gift than
giving of the heart.
Tim Griffin is Vice President of
Student Affairs, Dean of Students
and Campus Pastor at Grand Canyon
University. For more information
about Grand Canyon University, visit
www.gcu.edu.
inthezona.com