Aurora University Celebrates Second Annual Day of Generosity

Students and staff join forces with the community to promote positivity and giving back.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:52pm

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An extremely blurred, out-of-focus photograph depicting students and staff at Aurora University engaged in various acts of generosity and community service, such as making blankets, decorating lunch bags, and signing a community canvas. The image is composed of soft, warm pools of light and color, creating a dreamlike, conceptual representation of the university's culture of positivity and giving back.The vibrant energy and sense of community at Aurora University's Day of Generosity event shine through in this dreamlike, abstracted scene of students and staff coming together to make a positive impact.Aurora Today

Aurora University hosted its second annual Day of Generosity event, a 24-hour period where students, staff, and the community came together to make financial donations and participate in activities designed to spread positivity and encourage helping others. Last year's inaugural event raised $135,000 from 368 donors, and this year's efforts included making blankets for local organizations, decorating lunch bags for a homeless shelter, and creating cards and flowers for a senior living center.

Why it matters

The Day of Generosity event reflects Aurora University's commitment to fostering a culture of kindness, community engagement, and service-oriented values among its students. In a time when many college campuses are grappling with mental health challenges and divisiveness, this event provides an opportunity for students to come together, give back, and spread positivity.

The details

During the 24-hour Day of Generosity event, students and staff participated in a variety of service projects, including making 42 blankets for World Relief and Oaken Acres Wildlife Center, decorating 500 lunch bags for the Hesed House homeless shelter with notes of encouragement, and creating 100 handcrafted cards and 50 felt and planted flowers for the Fox Knoll Village senior living center. Students also had the chance to sign a community canvas in the Crimi Auditorium Institute for Collaboration, sharing messages about what generosity means to them.

  • The Day of Generosity event took place over a 24-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday evening.
  • Last year's inaugural Day of Generosity raised $135,000 from 368 donors.

The players

Aurora University

A private university located in Aurora, Illinois that hosted the Day of Generosity event.

Jonathan Jensen

Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement at Aurora University, who spoke about the event and student participation.

Andy Munjoy

A sophomore student at Aurora University who participated in last year's Day of Generosity event and shared his positive experience.

Karen Lopez

A freshman student at Aurora University who found the messages of positivity on the community canvas to be inspiring.

Keilana Schmidt

A sophomore student at Aurora University who participated in last year's Day of Generosity event by drawing Snoopy on the message board.

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What they’re saying

“There was a really nice showing of students signing our community canvas with words about what generosity means to them. That show of participation was encouraging on day one.”

— Jonathan Jensen, Vice President for Philanthropy and Engagement

“To me, this is a positive thing. I mean, it helps people to get to know others better and college is kind of awkward sometimes meeting new people, so it's great to just connect with others.”

— Andy Munjoy, Sophomore Student

“Yesterday, I came in and read a couple of these messages on the board and it was so inspiring to see here – people giving their thoughts and it's so inspiring and sweet to see there are other students out there too that have these thoughts. It's great to send positivity out there.”

— Karen Lopez, Freshman Student

What’s next

Aurora University plans to continue the Day of Generosity event annually, building on the success of the first two years and expanding opportunities for students, staff, and the community to get involved in spreading positivity and giving back.

The takeaway

The Day of Generosity event at Aurora University demonstrates the power of collective action and community engagement to foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and service. By providing students with meaningful ways to connect with each other and support local organizations, the university is nurturing the next generation of compassionate leaders.