As word came from university administrators to cancel classes for the remainder of the week, due to the ongoing wildfires in San Diego County, students at Point Loma Nazarene University were left with a choice. The air quality was bad, full of smoke and ash – it would have been easy to stay indoors in the comfort of their residence halls. But like many others in San Diego, the students chose to act. They chose to serve. They chose to make a difference.

Since Tuesday, students have been actively volunteering and donating in an effort to assist the thousands of evacuees who are still without a place to call home. PLNU has not been under direct threat from the fires, but many faculty, staff, and students have suffered through evacuations and losses.

Dozens of students have volunteered at evacuee sites, including Qualcomm Stadium, the county’s main evacuation center. The outpouring of volunteers and donations was overwhelming, as Qualcomm soon had to turn away volunteers. There, the students distributed donated food and personal hygiene products. They were also asked to serve by reading stories and playing games with children in displaced families. Volunteers also spent time working with the Rock Church and Catholic Charities.

Several other PLNU students organized donation drives on campus, collecting items like: juice boxes, pre-packaged food, water, blankets, pillows, hygiene products, children’s books, crayons, markers, games, and craft supplies. The collections were then delivered to evacuation centers around the county. Other chose to donate blood and receive formal Red Cross volunteer training, so that they may be able to better serve if and when the next natural disaster strikes.

“A blessing in this time of crisis has been watching both the PLNU community and the greater San Diego community come together,” said President Bob Brower.

Classes are set to resume at PLNU on Monday, Oct. 29, but the volunteer efforts most certainly will not end. PLNU will continue to provide updates on www.pointloma.edu as we begin to gather the countless stories from students, faculty, and staff.

“Through the days and weeks ahead, PLNU will continue to pray for those fighting the fires; for those who have lost homes, possessions, and even loved ones; and for the entire community,” said Brower. “We will continue to serve and give in as many ways as we can.”


Eric Yates
Media Relations Officer
(619) 849-7186
eyates@pointloma.edu