University of Victoria (UVic) students are coming together to give back this year.  

The universityB次元官网网址檚 annual Giving Tuesday celebration not only echoed the spirit of giving but also brought students together for the festivities, which included a life-size game of Monopoly, a friendship bracelet station, campfires and refreshments. The event put the power in students' hands by giving them the opportunity to decide where the university would direct their donations.  

B次元官网网址淭hey always do a little something, but this is [an event that] actually brings people together,B次元官网网址� said Megan Rose, a UVic student sitting by the fire pits set up for the event.  

B次元官网网址淲hen I first sat down here, there were a couple of people. We chatted a little so this sort of thing I think really is community building, as well as giving back.B次元官网网址�  

Each year the university typically sees 800 to 1,100 students participate in their Giving Tuesday festivities, a number they expected to see again this year.  

B次元官网网址淚 think we're in really good stead to have more [people],B次元官网网址� said Cortney Baldwin, the events project lead.  

B次元官网网址淲e have a lineup for some activities, and weB次元官网网址檝e had the friendship bracelet station full the entire time.B次元官网网址�  

By participating in Giving Tuesday activities like the philanthropy game, a life-sized take on Monopoly, students could earn a B次元官网网址淪prinkle Buck.B次元官网网址� Sprinkle Bucks represent actual money UVic has received from donors. After receiving their Sprinkle Bucks, students could choose from a variety of causes to direct their donations.  

B次元官网网址淚t's great because we show them the power of giving back without asking them for money,B次元官网网址� said Baldwin.  

Of the 26 initiatives funded by UVic, four are highlighted as priority funds for student health and wellness, a focus of the event. This year, the four priority funds are the Student Food Bank, the Student Wellness Centre, ITOTELNEWTEL LTE: Learning From One Another (Elder Engagement), and Pathways to Education.  

The impact of some of these funds has even inspired some students to get involved. 

B次元官网网址淚n my first year, I needed to rely entirely on the food bank, and I was very grateful to have such amazing support,B次元官网网址� said Ana Galicia, an international student from Mexico.  

B次元官网网址淎fter that, I was very grateful. I needed to give back and that's what I've been doing ever since.B次元官网网址� 

So far, the reaction from students has been very positive B次元官网网址淚 think it's great,B次元官网网址� said UVic student Joanna Robinson-Elith.  

B次元官网网址淚 answered a little pop quiz and was able to donate some money to one of the clubs that I'm a part of and I got a cookie in return.B次元官网网址� 

By 1 p.m. on Dec. 3 the university had raised $120,916 from 394 donors and unlocked $23,995 in committed funds, bringing their all-time Giving Tuesday fundraising total to over $1 million since 2016.  

You can read more about UVicB次元官网网址檚 Giving Tuesday and find its updated fundraising totals on