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Rose Bowl: U community engagement challenge

Funds raised from the challenge will benefit the Pasadena nonprofit, Friends In Deed.

Rose Bowl fever is gripping the University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City, the state and region. It’s estimated that more than 60,000 Utah fans will be making the trek to Pasadena, California, to watch the historic matchup against The Ohio State University on New Year’s Day.

We know the Utes will give it their all and leave their hearts out on the field. So, we wish the team the best and cheer, GO UTES!

To add to the spirit of the occasion, University of Utah students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans and community members are challenged to give something back to the host city of Pasadena. Funds raised from the challenge will benefit the Pasadena nonprofit, Friends In Deed.

Friends In Deed is an award-winning, transparent and impactful organization that provides supportive services to meet basic human needs and assist people in rebuilding their lives. All funds raised through the challenge will be collected by and go to benefit Friends In Deed.

When the University of Utah wins the 2022 championship game, we also want to ensure that we have given something back to our host community,” said Dean McGovern, executive director of the Bennion Center for Community Engagement. “Each year the city of Pasadena rings in the new year by hosting more than 90,000 visitors who attend the Rose Bowl game. We want to thank our hosts by leaving it better than we found it.”

“We live by our slogan of ‘doing together what we cannot do alone,’ and these two universities coming together to support the local Pasadena community is the perfect example a partnership for the greater good,” said Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, executive director of Friends In Deed. “Friends In Deed is committed to providing compassion, connection and dignity for clients experiencing times in their lives when they need assistance most.”

When to give

The donation portal opens for both campuses Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. The portal will close, and the total amount donated will be announced during the third quarter of game.

How to give

DONATE HERE

What to give

This is a fundraising campaign and every donation—large or small—will make a positive impact to this nonprofit that serves its community.


About Friends In Deed

Friends In Deed has five core programs, including a food pantry providing 2,500 households over 635,000 pounds of food yearly; the Women’s Room, a day shelter for homeless and at-risk women, offering free services like over 500 laundry loads and almost 600 showers for guests annually; the weather-activated Bad Weather Shelter providing a warm meal and refuge from the cold, wind and rain in the winter months; the Street Outreach and Housing team working to reduce homelessness on the streets of Pasadena with about 20 people successfully housed each year; and the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance program offering emergency rent, case management or rental assistance resources to approximately 280 households each year.