Bonner Leaders

Established by Bertram and Corella Bonner, who were both born into poverty, the mission of the Bonner Foundation is to battle hunger and poverty and also give students impetus to become involved in changing their communities through service and leadership on campus, in the community, and even the world while upholding values of social justice and civic engagement. The Bonner Leaders focus on a variety of issues in the community, locally and globally. During the December 2009, I travelled to New Orleans along with the Bonner Leaders to complete a service project. The aftermath of Katrina was widespread and still sorely evident today in those neighborhoods with the poor, the homeless and the sick. We worked with several nonprofits to tackle the issues of homelessness, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. During the week of March 22-27, 2010, the College of Charleston’s Bonner Leader program hosted its second annual Engage and Empower Awareness Week. Throughout the week, Bonner Leaders held a series of activities and discussions to analyze the source and solution for issues ranging from child abuse prevention to homelessness. After each event, information was presented on how students and citizens can engage in direct action to alleviate these problems. I specifically hosted a host a photographic gallery. The goal of this gallery was to illustrate the vast array of interpretations and implications of empowerment for different individuals. We hoped in turn to inspire others to consider their own role as influential members of their community. This past fall, I led a "Dash for Trash" event. Dash for Trash is an annual event that is co-sponsored by the College of Charleston Center for Civic Engagement and Keep Charleston Beautiful. Dash for Trash gives students the opportunity to help clean up downtown Charleston while enjoying some friendly competition with other students. Dash for Trash is aimed at preventing future littering through increased awareness of Charleston’s anti-litter laws. College of Charleston student teams grabbed a grocery cart, garbage bags and gloves and dashed into downtown Charleston to participate in the annual litter-collecting scavenger hunt, Dash for Trash. Teams of students scoured the city for cigarette butts, used batteries, old hub caps and bagged dog litter to rack up points. Each type of litter has a different value associated with it and teams that find one of the Golden Tickets get to add even more points to their score. The student teams that show the most spirit, collect the most recyclables and accumulate the most points will win prizes. There are certainly many important issues in the community, and these are just a few of the events I have been involved throughout the year in order to take a step in the direction of solving this issues.