You have a donut in hand, Pitbull’s “Time of Our Lives” is playing in the background and you’re playing mini golf. That’s just a small scene from Cornell United Way’s Bear Games event this past Sunday, April 20.
I was just walking through the Arts Quad when I saw someone kicking a soccer ball toward a 10-foot inflatable soccer darts board. A few steps closer to the event, there was mini golf, carnival games and a raffle for prizes.
Sophia Romanov Imber/Sun Staff Photographer
While there were prizes for the carnival games, like inflatable swords or plastic trumpets, each win came with a ticket on which you could write your name and NetID to enter the raffle. Raffle prizes ranged from a Cornell University water bottle to a Curology Set.
All proceeds from the event go to the United Way of Tompkins County. Cornell United Way is the Cornell chapter of the organization. They work closely with Tompkins County to discuss what cause needs the most funding and support at the time.
Just last semester, Cornell United Way raised over three thousand dollars at their Casino Royale event on Dec. 5, 2024. United Way aims to raise funds for local initiatives such as the Suicide Crisis and Prevention Service Program. The initiatives they fund are impactful for their local communities. In 2024, United Way raised 1.8 million for Tompkins County.
While raising money through donations from attendees during the Bear Games event, Cornell United Way also created a lively space and event for Cornell students. It really was one of those moments when I thought I could see the color scheme of childhood again. The event brought back the ease of connecting with others you only find in elementary school.
The president of Cornell United Way, Alfred Sun ’25, said, “[I am] genuinely happy to be involved in something that contributes meaningful change to the Tompkins community. Much of this work has made my Cornell experience especially meaningful.”
Sophia Romanov Imber/Sun Staff Photographer
The sun started to set, to my right, people were fighting with inflatable swords by the Bobby K Entertainment games, and to my left, people started to gather by the raffle table. Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” started playing, and it felt like spring was finally here to stay. Serena Devgun ’28, Social Media and Marketing Officer of Cornell United Way, said, “I think it is so fulfilling and rewarding to be part of United Way and help support causes from women’s health to suicide prevention.” She continued, “The ways to help Tompkins County are boundless when you have United Way by your side.”
As a student at Cornell, I’ve wanted to enjoy Ithaca more and feel a part of the community beyond Cornell. I went to Porchfest and Applefest last semester and found the familiar feeling present at the Bear Games: that feeling of everyone enjoying what’s around them and not just talking about the next prelim or finals season coming around. The Bear Games event was one for student spirit, where there is often none.
I look forward to more events hosted by Cornell United Way. They’re a good time and a way to support Tompkins County. We’re all here for four years or so, might as well enjoy it while we can. And what’s better than Wegmans pizza and the possibility of winning a Lego flower set? Not much.
Sophia Romanov Imber is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at sromanovimber@cornellsun.com.
