By Riker Napoleone ’27
Here at Gunn, clubs and affinity groups greatly influence student life. Clubs occur 2-4 times weekly and involve dedication and perseverance while educating students on a topic or problem they might not have previously known. Often, the outcomes result in fun activities for the students or faculty participants.
One of the most influential clubs on campus is Gunn Gives Back. Gunn Gives Back is a club in which students run fundraisers and events where all of the money raised goes to a good cause, with some of the past events being volleyball tournaments, Gunn Run, and Gunn Thrift. Around 20 students are in the club, though sometimes more participate depending on what activities occur. Throughout Gunn, the club helps to create a strong sense of community through working together on projects and fundraisers. The club spreads kindness, strengthens relationships, and allows for a chill time for students to exhibit creativity. However, Gunn Gives Back also affects the community outside of Gunn, as its fundraisers help others by raising money for awareness or making cards for people in the hospital. With multiple students from many different countries and backgrounds, the sense of unity and purpose helps make the fundraisers successful.
Kate Richards, the club’s current leader, stated, “To me, Gunn Gives Back is everything, as it is a chance to show gratitude and make a real impact on others.” Last year, one of the most successful fundraisers was the Gunn Runn. The Gunn Runn is an annual fundraiser that occurs during the spring term. Last year, Gunn Gives Back partnered with the ALS Association, which is an association that raises money to find a cure for ALS disease. Last year, the fundraiser was highly successful, bringing in around $2,600. Many students and faculty participate in the run, and all who donate are also given matching T-shirts to wear. Following the run is a much shorter tradition, the Gunn Thrift. During this event, many students donate clothes they do not wear anymore, and other students can go and purchase them. A large part of the student population participates, and in return, many used clothes that would otherwise be thrown away are bought by new owners.
Overall, Gunn Gives Back allows students to show a tangible impact on the outside community while also creating a strong sense of community and belonging among Gunn students. The hosted fundraisers help local and national organizations and help spread the club’s influence far beyond Gunn and Washington, Connecticut.
