Over the course of the fall academic semester, several of George Mason's athletic teams participated in community service events, giving back to the community. Listed below are a few examples of how the Patriots lent a hand in the community.

Dulles Day Plane Pull

For the second year in a row, to kick-off the 2011-2012 school year, Mason Athletics participated in the Dulles Day Plane Pull. The event, which took place at Dulles Airport, raised money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia with such activities as a car show, aircraft displays and a Kids' zone.

Special Olympics Virginia raised money in the event through team sponsorships. Mason student-athletes from wrestling, dance, rowing and track & field volunteered their time in the Kids' Zone area.  

Movember

During the month of November, Mason's baseball team participated in Movember - a mustache growing charity event that raises funds and awareness globally for prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. The funds raised in the US are directed to programs run directly by Movember and its health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Mason initially set its goal to raise $10,000, but surpassed that number, raising a total of $12,156. With the support of the athletic department and school papers, the team received donations exceeding their expectations. The month was highlighted by three mustache parties in Fairfax, Washington D.C. and New York.

Women's Cancers in D.C.

The Masonettes participated in the 2^nd Annual National Race to End Women's Cancer in D.C. on November 6^th. The Foundation for Women's Cancer put on the race in celebration of their 20^th anniversary to raise awareness and crucial research funding to prevent, detect, treat and defeat cancers unique to women. The Masonettes were out in full force supporting the women running in the race by handing out water at various water stations along the route.

Franklin Middle School After School Program

The Mason golf team continued its partnership with Franklin Middle School, visiting the students four times each semester for an after school program. Each time, the Patriots teach the kids the basics of the golf swing and putting providing hit mats and putting surfaces for the practice. The afternoon is split into half hour increments around the full swing, putting and contests. The participants, originally split into groups for the drills, are combined for the contests which ends the program.

ALS Walk

The George Mason lacrosse team took part in the Washington D.C. Walk to Defeat ALS on October 16^th. Coaches and players, self-named Arthur's Entourage in memory of a student-athlete's father, participated in the walk circling the National Monument and exceeded their goal to raise $2,250, donating a total of $4,343 to the event.

Operation Turkey

Mason softball participated in Operation Turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. The team was provided a list of food items to be donated to less fortunate families and the Patriots collected enough food to donate two full dinners. Prince William County annually delivers Thanksgiving dinners to families.

National Adoption Day at PETCO

Every December, the Fairfax PETCO hosts National Adoption day event. This year the women's tennis team attended the event to provide assistance throughout the day.

FACETS Organization

FACETS, a well established non-profit organization that touches and improves the lives of thousands of families and individuals every year, helps people meet their emergency shelter, food and medical needs. The organization, founded in 1988, also helps individuals gain safe, sustainable and permanent housing. This semester, the Mason women's volleyball team donated their time and collected canned goods and other supplies for the shelter. The Patriots also spent time at the shelter, organizing donated supplies.

White Ribbon Campaign (Victims' Right Week)

As a part of the Turn Off the Violence week, put on by Sexual Assault Services, the Mason wrestling team volunteered to hand out White Ribbons, representing men who want to end violence against women, to every man on campus. By wearing the ribbon, men visibly demonstrate their pledge to "never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls." The wrestling team took charge of this campaign 10 years ago and continues to work with this great effort of changing the opinions of many men on campus.