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On Saturday, September 9th over 300 Pacific students, faculty, staff and alumni got together for the 4th annual Reach Out Pacific volunteering event. The volunteers met in the Grace Covell Hall for breakfast, provided by Bon Appetit, and motivational speeches . There was a large Greek turnout with many members of the social fraternities Sigma Chi and ODPhi in attendance along with social sorority Alpha Phi’s entire house.
Alpha Phi Becky Lahti said, “Our whole house came! We like to take advantage of any opportunity to serve the Stockton community. We have also worked with the Boys and Girls Club in the past and it was fun so we figured
we would do it again.” The Boys and Girls Club, The Stockton Food Shelter, St. Mary’s Interfaith Community Services, Pixie Woods Park, the Children Museum of Stockton, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and 18 other community programs received the help of Pacific’s swarm of volunteers. They were transported by buses, vans and SUVs to their various locations. They worked on a variety of projects such as painting storm drains, landscaping a playground, distributing food, and removing graffiti. Speakers included Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez, Vice Mayor Gary S. Giovanetti, Pacific Provost Philip Gilbertson,
vice president of Student Life at Pacific Dr. Elizabeth Griego, Assistant Director of the Center for Community Involvement at Pacific Erin Rausch, and student representatives from ASUOP and CCI. Every speaker expressed their amazement at the site of such a tremendous turnout. The crowd of students, despite the fact that it was 9:30 am on a Saturday, seemed very excited to be there. A standing ovation was given for the event’s head, Erin Rausch. The Vice Mayor of Stockton Gary S. Giovanetti led the crowd in a rally chant of: “What are we gonna do today?” with the response: “ VOLUNTEER FOR STOCKTON.” It didn’t really rhyme but it did make everyone smile. 
Mayor Edward Chavez was very supportive and proud of Pacific. He said at the morning meet-up, “I am impressed by the turn out. When I came in here I was blown away by the number of you who are here today. We would like to thank you.” He went on to share a bit of advice with the students. “The true worth of an individual is measured in what they contribute to make better another person,” Chavez
said. That was something most of the participants seemed to truly come away understanding by the end of
the day. ODPhi Member Allen King said in response to why he was there, “ODPHI does a lot of community service. I could have slept in but it’s fun to help people and meet new people in the process.”
Dr. Liz Griego, Vice President of Student Life seemed moved to tears by the presence of so many enthusiastic Pacific volunteers. She said to them proudly, “Thank you for being people who care.” Students were treated to a driving tour after their service was complete and then gathered back at the Grace Covell Hall for finishing thoughts. Students also received a free “I Volunteered” Reach Out Pacific commemorative t-shirt. Each volunteer group elected a representative who gave a brief speech about their service and presented an image that they created. These images were gathered to be placed in a Reach Out Pacific scrap book. 
ASUOP President Adam Ellison gave a closing speech in which he encouraged the students to continue serving
the community. “All Stockton needs is the people in this room in order to make a difference,” he said. Mayor Chavez awarded Pacific with a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Stockton for the work they
were doing in the city on that day.
Reach Out Pacific is more successful each year, and as a result makes a larger difference in the community. All organizations that received help expressed extreme gratitude and the volunteers seemed to really enjoy and appreciate the experience.
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