Cardinals Fill Easter Eggs for Children at the Guadalupe Community Center

On Monday, March 23, students and faculty from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) were invited to fill Easter eggs with candy and goodies on Dubuis Lawn. This drive was coordinated by the UIW First Generation Student & Faculty Staff Committees and the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS) to benefit Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center's afterschool program.

Volunteers filled each vibrantly colored egg with care, stuffing them with fun toys and sweet treats. Many volunteers smiled as they worked to fill each egg, knowing that their efforts were going to bring joy to others this Easter season.

"This simple and kind act of preparing an Easter egg hunt and baskets by first-generation students and members of the campus community demonstrates the University's commitment to supporting members of our local community," said ECCLS Director, Ricardo Gonzalez. EdD. "By coming together to assist children at the Guadalupe Community Center through Catholic Charities of San Antonio, these individuals are making a significant impact and demonstrating the values of compassion and community engagement. Through their engagement, these students not only provide immediate assistance but also inspire a culture of responsibility and giving that will resonate for years to come."

On Thursday, March 26, the eggs were taken to the Guadalupe Community Center and scattered throughout the property for eager Easter egg hunters to find. Children laughed and smiled as they ran to gather all the eggs until their buckets were filled with a kaleidoscope of colors. Their eyes widened with excitement as they revealed the fun treasures hidden inside each egg, adding some Easter fun to their day.

"Coordinating this joint effort between the First-Generation Student organization and Faculty/Staff Committee was the highlight of my spring," shared RebeccaSalazar, ECCLS assistant director. "Seeing the children excited from the moment we arrived until they burst through the garden gates filled me with hope for our future. The true spirit of the Incarnate Word lives on in the servant hearts of our student body- past, present and future."