Whether creating care packages for servicemembers overseas, making no-sew blankets for sick and disadvantaged children or beautifying parts of Columbus, hundreds of Fisher students, faculty and staff spent the Veterans Day holiday serving the community.

More than 870 individuals gathered on campus on a cold morning for the third-ever Fisher Impact Day. The event connected the college community and demonstrated Fisher’s continued commitment to service.

“Service to our community is an essential part of Fisher’s purpose and our strategic plan,” said Anil K. Makhija, dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business. “As part of a land-grant institution, we have a duty to improve and contribute to the community in which we all live. The incredible success of this event speaks to the dedication of our students, faculty and staff, all of whom have stepped forward as leaders to positively impact the lives of others.”

Among the many service initiatives, the Fisher community:

• packed more than 30,000 meals for the hungry
• wrote 432 thank-you cards to veterans as part of Operation Gratitude
• created 200 care packages for servicemen and women overseas as part of Operation Buckeye
• filled 240 activity bags for students at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• picked up 115 garbage bags of litter

“When approached about the opportunity to support Operation Buckeye on Fisher Impact Day, the Fisher Veterans Association (FVA) recognized a great opportunity to support those who are deployed overseas,” said Walt Gouldin, an MBA student, FVA president and a veteran. “Receiving a care package while deployed is an amazing experience. Care packages provide you with items that are not readily available overseas and remind you of home.

“I want to thank Operation Buckeye and the Columbus Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club for their help in making this event a success.”

For third-year operations management student Cydney Fugazzi, creating blankets inside Schoenbaum Hall was an opportunity to directly impact the lives of others. The blankets are distributed to children in the foster care system.

“What’s unique about My Very Own Blanket is that students feel like it’s a direct service, which it is,” she said. “Children are going to be able to pick out these blankets, and the students know that their hands and their work are affecting the children’s lives, so there’s definitely a strong motivation behind it for the students.”

Fisher Impact Day was made possible by the support of a number of organizations, including: The Honors Cohort Program, Tansky Sawmill Toyota, Inc., Fisher’s Office of Advancement and the Office of the Dean.