Pepperdine Volunteers Serve Local Communities on Step Forward Day

On September 9, Pepperdine University students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends joined together for the 29th consecutive year to participate in Step Forward Day, the University’s annual day of service. Nearly 1,400 Pepperdine volunteers, including over 300 alumni, joined partner organizations across the country to serve their local communities.

“Step Forward Day is an opportunity for students and alumni to kick off the academic year by connecting with and serving people and organizations in the Los Angeles area,” said Libby Bucci, special events director at the Pepperdine Volunteer Center and Seaver College senior.

Local organizations included the Surfrider Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Shane's Inspiration in Burbank, and Hope Gardens Family Center in Sylmar.

Alumni around the country also served their respective communities through their alumni chapters. In our nation’s capital, the DC Waves partnered with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington to clean emergency shelters operated by the Catholic Charities social services agency. The Portland Waves and Bay Area Waves partnered with local food banks to sort, label, and package food to distribute to those in need. 

“By engaging with our surrounding communities and fostering those relationships, we inherently strengthen the bonds within our own Pepperdine community as well,” Bucci continues. “Our goal is to learn more about these organizations and people, engage with them and accommodate their needs, and encourage participants to take interest in social justice throughout our own community and beyond.” 

The Pepperdine Volunteer Center also hosted a Community Engagement Fair at Alumni Park on the Malibu campus, where participants enjoyed food and music and spent time reflecting on their day of service at designated stations.

For additional information about Step Forward Day, visit the Pepperdine Volunteer Center website.