Ventures Summer 2019 | Page 32

ADVANCING THE MISSION MIH resonates with our community as well, and many of you have made gifts to support this worthwhile program. Each year donations have increased, thanks to grassroots fundraising, with students, alumni, and other participants sharing their passion with friends and family. With your help, SU: How has your experience as alumni changed because of MIH? MP: MIH has given me an opportunity to stay involved with the students of Stevenson University and see just how we are touching lives across the country and we are making a the university has grown from my time as a student. difference in the world. KR: It’s changed my perspective w ​ hen going on these trips. We asked some of our alumni participants to share their Before, my main goal was to help our communities and thoughts: Matt Piluk ’17 ’19M, KJ Renfroe ’17 ’19M, and make new friends. Now my view of these trips is centered Danny Sloan ’13. around my personal growth, helping those in our MIH family grow and learn through meaningful conversations, SU: What does Mission: I’m Home mean to you? inspirational words and quotes, and inspiring through my MP: MIH IS my Stevenson community. When I think back to my time as a student at Stevenson University, I first think of my experiences with the Mission: I’m Home organization and actions. I saw MIH as a club, but now I see that it’s more than a club, it’s my family. MIH is what kept me involved with the Stevenson community. its members. KR: Mission: I’m Home to me means family, togetherness, ​ and support. This organization not only helps our community by volunteering, but we help each other grow, and ultimately become our best selves. Mission: I’m Home is simply the best thing that could ever happen to anyone. DS: Mission: I’m Home to me is a chance for students, alumni, and faculty to be plunged into a world of compassion for others. There aren’t too many other instances in my life where I’ve been able to see first-hand, and make an impact on, the poverty and destruction that natural disasters cause. In many cases, we forget that once the chaos subsides, the lingering effects of a disaster are there for a decade to come. Yet the world seems only to rally behind the cause for so long. In short, it means compassion, family, love, and returning people to the places they call home. $77,395 raised to date 30 | VENTURES/SUMMER 2019 Spring 2018 trip to Baton Rouge 199 Gifts from Students and Alumni 84 Gifts from Sponsors Left to right: Carolee Martelle ’63 ’89 ’97, Kevin Motz ’09, Beverly Bareham ’01