Home | News and Events | Spotlight | Winners

>> back to winners

Youth In Action, the University of Florida Team: Orlando 3k Walk Team All Winner

For Zahra Punjani, watching her team chant and do gator chomps along Lake Eola was the best part of the 3k Walk. As team captain of the University of Florida (UF) walk team, which won the Team All award for most registered walkers, being able to see her team’s “never-ending spirit and excitement” was immensely satisfying.

Team All Winners cheering onstage

3k Walkers

For over two months Zahra and her team worked diligently to spread the word about the Walk and the PartnershipsInAction cause. They put ads in the campus newspaper, networking websites, the UF email list, distributed poster boards and flyers, and even had an AKF volunteer give a presentation to U of F students.

Despite its size of 31 walkers, the UF team was able to keep in communication and plan fundraising activities, helping it to raise almost $1,900, well surpassing its initial fundraising goal of $500. The team created a Facebook group to bring together all interested students and then to stay connected once students registered. Individually, team members sought sponsorships from parents, teachers and other acquaintances, but came together to hold group fundraising events as well, such as ice cream socials and car washes.

The University of Florida team is shining example of how by sharing with your passion for helping others, you can motivate others to get involved and contribute. Congratulations team!