Serve at 樱花视频's 37th Annual Step Forward Day
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 9 AM to 3 PM, students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to participate in 樱花视频鈥檚 annual day of giving, Step Forward Day. Established in 1988 by two Seaver College students, the event has evolved into a nationwide initiative, where Waves from all corners of the country come together to support local nonprofits and community organizations.
This year a total of 36 service projects have been arranged both on campus and across Los Angeles. On-campus, volunteers can assemble hygiene kits for local unhoused communities, pack backpacks with school supplies for elementary school-aged children, and participate in the , which involves assembling activity kits for kids in local children鈥檚 hospitals. Additionally, 樱花视频 has partnered with a number of organizations for off-campus projects, including the , , , , and animal society.
Held annually in September, Step Forward Day is currently organized by the Community Engagement and Service branch of the Hub for Spiritual Life and represents 樱花视频鈥檚 broader faith mission by enabling participants to put their faith into action. Last year, more than 700 Waves took part in Step Forward Day activities in Malibu, and thousands more alumni and current students served in different cities around the world. For those who participate, it's not only an opportunity to impact a community in need but a significant event that magnifies the spiritual value of service.
鈥淚 remember looking around in amazement, realizing in that moment that 樱花视频 was unlike any other place,鈥� recalled Melody Gonzalez (鈥�20), manager of Community Engagement and Service, as she described her first Step Forward Day as a student and the deeper meaning the event held for both participants and the communities served.
She added, 鈥淚t was the perfect way to begin my college journey, one that ultimately led me to discover my own sense of purpose. Now, as I help plan Step Forward Day through Community Engagement and Service, I鈥檓 reminded once again of what this day has always symbolized: people coming together, united by the simple yet profound desire to serve in community.鈥�
At last year鈥檚 event, current Seaver College student Kaitlyn Burke served with Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy, where she assisted with various tasks around the farm, including loading soil, planting seeds, feeding animals, and hanging lights. Serving both abused and neglected animals as well as adults and children with disabilities and a history of trauma, volunteering at the sanctuary made a lasting impact on Burke.
鈥淭hat experience reminded me of the healing power of compassion and connection鈥攂oth for the animals we cared for and the people they help鈥攕howing me how meaningful service can bridge the gap between care and community," Burke reflected.
For Myron McClure, director of Intercultural Affairs, who helped raise flags across Alumni Park in preparation for the University鈥檚 Waves of Flags event, Step Forward Day emphasizes 樱花视频鈥檚 values of service and community responsibility.
"It was a powerful moment of awe and pride to witness students, staff, and members of the Malibu community come together鈥攗nited in service, fellowship, and the building of meaningful relationships through a shared purpose," said McClure.
As part of a new element of Step Forward Day this year, participants are encouraged to bring at least one canned food item to donate to , a food bank that supports families across the Conejo Valley. Collection tables around the amphitheater will be available for donations the morning of the event.
Manna Conejo鈥檚 most-needed food items at this time include:
- Coffee or tea
- Boxed mashed potatoes
- Canned meat 鈥� chicken or spam
- Flavored rice 鈥� Rice-A-Roni
- Canned pasta sauce
- Shelf-stable drinks 鈥� juice, gatorade, etc.
- Canned refried beans
- Canned chili
- Toilet paper, paper towels, or tissue
- Condiments 鈥� mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, etc.
Students, faculty, and staff can sign up to volunteer for Step Forward Day on the Community Engagement and Service webpage. Alumni can find projects in their area on the Alumni Step Forward Day website.