If someone were to ask me on the spot what Gators for Refugee Medical Relief (GRMR) is all about, I'd say we support refugee families through donations, tutoring, workshops, and by making a difference in Gainesville and beyond. But if you were to ask me what GRMR truly means to me, it would go much deeper—it's a community, a family. Joining GRMR as a freshman was more than just a step toward helping refugee families; it was becoming part of a team where every single person, especially the board of directors, is so genuinely passionate about making an impact. We’re not just volunteers—we're teammates and leaders, all driven by the same mission.

Looking back at my time with GRMR, I can still picture every concession stand shift, every GBM, every event. Sure, concession volunteering can be tough, but knowing that every dollar goes toward helping refugee families makes it beyond rewarding. And who doesn’t like to attend sports games for free? And then there are the GBMs—Jakob always comes up with these quirky, fun games that get everyone talking. I mean, who could forget the time we made paper airplanes and tossed them across the room to meet whoever they landed near? Each meeting is as lively as the last, always keeping us connected and engaged.

Last month, the board took professional headshots together, and I’ll never forget when our president, Sara Tahir, said GRMR was what she’d miss most after graduation. The people, the events, the community we've built—it's all irreplaceable. GRMR is about making a difference in the lives of others, but it’s also about what it gives back to you. So, if you're already part of GRMR or thinking about joining—do it! It’ll change your life for the better.