Each year, UCF Day of Giving invites the community to invest in the future success of students and faculty. From expanding student scholarships and community resources, to fueling innovative research and enhancing the university’s global reputation, each gift made on UCF Day of Giving helps unleash the potential of Knight Nation.
Here are eight areas to consider supporting on April 13.
Veterans History Project
Housed in the College of Arts and Humanities, the Veterans History Project preserves stories of local veterans and makes them accessible to the public to ensure future generations understand the realities of conflict. To date, the project has interviewed more than 700 veterans with a goal of reaching 1,000 by 2026. Supporting this project will help it purchase equipment, hire student interviewers and programs facilitators, and connect with more veterans. The UCF Veterans History Project also contributes select stories to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
Robinson Observatory
Thanks to this on-campus observatory, students receive world-class, hands-on experience in astronomical data collection and analysis, and in observing astronomical phenomena including asteroids, comets, supernovae and more. The public also are invited monthly during the fall and spring semesters to Knights Under the Stars to view the wonders of the universe right from campus and to learn from experts. Support of the Robinson Observatory will aid in the ongoing technological maintenance of the facility and its programming.
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families and educators. With state legislative funding and public support, CARD trains families and teachers in best practices to support those with ASD and offers an array of programming to boost skills in reading, writing, socializing, living independently and more to ASD individuals. CARD programming supports the entire lifespan of ASD, from diagnosis as a young child to adulthood.
4EVER KNIGHTS
One of the largest student organizations on campus, 4EVER KNIGHTS engages current students with the alumni community, educating them on the benefits of establishing and maintaining a lifelong relationship with UCF. Student members have access to social events, networking and professional development opportunities that aid in their college journey and help ensure their continual support of the university post-graduation.
The Aphasia House
UCF’s Aphasia House is an intensive, comprehensive therapy program that supports those with aphasia, which is a loss of ability to understand or express speech due to brain damage. Individualized speech therapy, including the use of state-of-the-art augmentative and alternative communication devices, is proven to assist these individuals in sharing their needs and connecting with loved ones. Supporting the Aphasia House will help maintain and expand its operations to support individuals and their families, and connect them with life-changing technology.
Arboretum
The UCF Arboretum is 80 acres on the main campus in Orlando that gives students, staff and visitors the opportunity to explore and learn about plant life. Students learn through hands-on work in plant propagation and identification, vegetable gardening, horticultural techniques, research experiments, data analysis and more. Fresh vegetables from the garden are donated to campus food pantries like the Knights Helping Knights Pantry that serves in-need students. Supporting this fund will aid the Arboretum in its operations, campus beautification, food security and sustainability, and funding opportunities for creative learning.
UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center
Medical school cancer researchers soon will move into the UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, where they will collaborate under the same roof with physicians caring for cancer patients. With their drug discoveries and understandings from research on how genes impact cancer risks, pediatric cancers and how the immune system can fight cancer, these researchers will work side-by-side with doctors to offer patients state-of-the-art treatment. In partnership with HCA Florida Healthcare, the UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center opened in March 2021 near the UCF College of Medicine.
The Pineapple Pantry
Similar to the Knights Helping Knights Pantry on UCF’s main campus, the Pineapple Pantry is a food resource for those in need. Students struggling to afford groceries or access sufficient nutritious food can collect five food items and one toiletry item for free each visit. Bread, fruit, dairy products and other assorted fresh items are restocked each week. By supporting the Pineapple Pantry, donors are supporting students’ ability to access nutritious food that is proven to aid in one’s academic performance.
For more opportunities to give back and make an impact this UCF Day of Giving, visit the full list of funds available and consider making a gift to the area that matters most to you.
Rachel Williams ’15 ’20MA
