107th Buenafication Day Set for April 28
Hundreds of BVU students will report to areas on campus or throughout the Storm Lake area in raking, washing, packing, and more as the University celebrates the 107th Buenafication Day tradition on April 28.
Hundreds of BVU students will report to areas on campus or throughout the Storm Lake area in raking, washing, packing, and more as the University celebrates the 107th Buenafication Day tradition on April 28.
What began as day of spring cleaning on campus in 1913 has blossomed into one of service, a community-wide effort seeing students joining faculty, staff, alumni, students from the Storm Lake Community Schools, St. Mary’s, and Alta-Aurelia, and residents throughout Buena Vista County in serving the community while aiding others.
“Buenafication Day is a wonderful campus commitment and tradition to serve the Storm Lake community. It is amazing to watch it grow into an entire county effort to make northwest Iowa better.”
Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson
Thousands of care packages for a variety of causes are assembled on this day, while areas on campus and throughout the area receive a well-deserved spring spruce-up.
In the 2019 edition of Buenafication Day, Tania Toj Lopez, of Postville, joined her team, the BVU women’s soccer team, in packing meal packages to be distributed by Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. She then packed lunches for those in need.
“You don’t know who is going to receive these items, but it’s nice to know they’re going to someone who needs them,” she said.
Estimated service totals from the 2019 Buenafication Day effort included: 1,700 dental kits assembled; 10,680 meals packed; and 1,465 bandages rolled.
The upcoming celebration is the first since BVU earned the 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, one of 52 private colleges across the U.S. hailed for a commitment to service that runs year-round. The classification lasts for 10 years.
“Buenafication Day is a wonderful campus commitment and tradition to serve the Storm Lake community,” says Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant vice president of Student Success and director of Community Engagement. “It is amazing to watch it grow into an entire county effort to make northwest Iowa better.”
For alumni wishing to participate in Buenafication Day, contact Kristie Spotts, director of alumni engagement at SpottsK@bvu.edu.