Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, November 9, 2026.— The Universidad Panamericana hosted the second edition of Giving Day, an inter-campus initiative that calls on its community to join forces in support of causes that contribute to people’s well-being and the development of their environment.
Through charitable activities, opportunities for dialogue, and service experiences, this event promoted a culture of philanthropy and served as a reminder that generosity can be expressed in many different ways: through each person’s time, knowledge, talent, and resources.
A community that comes together for causes that make a difference
At the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes campus, the donations collected during this event were allocated to two causes: Comunidad Bonaterra, a project that promotes the well-being and holistic development of children and families in this community, and the Pan-American Talent Fund, which provides support to students representing the University in academic, athletic, and other competitions at the national and international levels.
Throughout the day, students, faculty, staff, and members of the university community participated in various activities that brought to life the spirit of Giving Day, driven by the belief that every contribution can help transform reality.
The day began with a charity fair, which brought community members together in a friendly atmosphere, where the food and products offered helped support the beneficiary causes.
As part of this second edition, commemorative socks designed by Regina Muro Garduño, a student in the Innovation and Design Engineering program, were sold for the first time. The design incorporated elements and colors representative of the university’s identity, turning student talent into another way to contribute to this initiative.
Service as a Way to Transform the Lives of Others
One of the highlights of the day was the panel discussion on philanthropy, community, and social impact, moderated by the president of the Aguascalientes campus of the Universidad Panamericana , Dr. Antonio de los Reyes Moreno.
Participants in this event included Daniela Sarahí Ramírez Ruteaga, a Paralympic athlete; Imanol Landeta, an actor and entrepreneur; and José Miguel Hernández Méndez, co-founder and executive director of Proyecto Shining México A.C. Drawing on their experiences in various fields, they shared their reflections on the meaning of helping others, empathy, and the responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others.
Experiences That Teach Us to Give
When discussing the origins of their social commitment, the guests agreed that a calling to serve can stem from personal experiences, family upbringing, and the support we receive throughout our lives.
Daniela Sarahí shared how the support she received throughout her career as an athlete and the challenges she has faced due to her disability motivated her to become someone who supports others as well. Currently, as a physical therapist and athlete, she strives to support her patients and share her knowledge with other athletes. She emphasized that empathy is essential for building supportive relationships: “It all starts with empathy and putting yourself in that person’s shoes.”
For his part, Imanol Landeta recalled that he had participated in philanthropic initiatives since he was a child—an experience that, over time, he came to understand as part of the upbringing he received from his parents. Today, as an ambassador for Un Kilo de Ayuda, he sees his public role as an opportunity to champion social causes. Among the lessons that have guided his life, he recalled: “If you have the means and can help someone else who isn’t as fortunate or lucky as you are, do it.”
José Miguel Hernández shared that his journey into service began with his family, but it was his father’s death during the pandemic that led him to rethink his priorities and leave his corporate career to devote himself fully to social work through Proyecto Shining México A.C.
Empathy as a Starting Point for Making an Impact
During the discussion, the panelists reflected on how to incorporate social commitment into professional and everyday life. Imanol emphasized that companies can also be places that foster well-being, citing as an example the creation of small libraries for employees at a company he founded with his brother.
He went on to point out that simple actions can contribute to people's development and that social responsibility must be part of an organization's culture.
José Miguel, for his part, explained that one of the main lessons he has learned from his work with communities is that social projects must address people’s real needs. He also emphasized that creating lasting solutions requires collaboration among businesses, governments, universities, and communities.
Drawing on her personal experience, Daniela also spoke about the importance of creating empathetic environments, especially for those facing vulnerable situations. She encouraged the students to understand that anyone can go through difficult times and that an attitude of respect and support can make all the difference.
Service doesn't depend on how much you have, but on how much you can contribute
Another topic discussed was young people's participation in philanthropic activities. The guests agreed that helping others does not necessarily require making large financial contributions or having a lot of time.
Imanol pointed out that there are different ways to contribute, ranging from sharing knowledge and skills to helping manage and run social projects. José Miguel added that organizations also face the challenge of creating more dynamic and engaging service experiences for young people, drawing on their talents and abilities.
For Daniela, getting involved in these initiatives allows her to learn, meet new people, and grow as a person. The panelists thus encouraged everyone to recognize that they can all contribute something based on their own abilities.
Listen to Begin the Transformation
To conclude the discussion, University President Dr. Antonio de los Reyes invited the participants to share a habit they would recommend the university community adopt in order to transform the lives of others.
Imanol suggested learning to listen, since he believes that recognizing the needs of others is the first step toward finding concrete ways to help: “Listen so you can identify what people need. And then you’ll come up with an idea or a project, and you’ll be able to take action.”
Daniela expanded on this reflection by emphasizing humility as a necessary condition for listening to and understanding others. Both messages served as an invitation to incorporate empathy and service into our daily lives.
Giving Day: A Day of Solidarity and Commitment to the Common Good
As part of the closing activities, a Charity Dinner was held, prepared by students in the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Gastronomic Business Management, who put their knowledge and skills into practice to support the beneficiary causes.
Before dinner, the girls and boys participating in the Comunidad Bonaterra workshops shared their experiences and stories with the attendees about what it has meant to be part of this project, giving participants a glimpse into the lives of those who benefit from these initiatives.
“My name is Roxana, I’m 11 years old, and I want to thank you for continuing to support the Bonaterra Community. Thanks to that, we’ve been able to keep learning, keep socializing, and make new friends—without fear. Thank you to the teachers for continuing to teach us with patience.”
At the end of the day, the amount raised for the “Universidad Panamericana ” at the Aguascalientes campus totaled approximately $262,000.00, reflecting the commitment and solidarity of the entire community.
The Value of Giving and Transforming Lives
At the close of the event, Dr. Antonio de los Reyes Moreno, president of the Aguascalientes campus of the Universidad Panamericana , thanked the university community for their participation and emphasized that the Giving Day strengthens the institution’s founding identity through service and solidarity.
“Every contribution, every expression of support, and every gesture of commitment we have received today represents not only a donation, but above all a clear statement of faith in the future of our youth and our country,” he said.
The university president noted that the university’s mission is not limited to training professionals with academic excellence, but also seeks to nurture individuals with human qualities and an ethical commitment to society. In this regard, he pointed out that knowledge and talent acquire their true value when they are put at the service of others.
He also emphasized that education involves much more than simply imparting knowledge; it also means awakening consciences capable of transforming realities. In this regard, he recalled one of St. Josemaría’s teachings: “The value of a human life lies in service to others, ” a principle that, he affirmed, continues to be an essential part of the University’s identity.
Join in the spirit of Giving Day
The Giving Day is an opportunity to put values such as solidarity, generosity, empathy, and commitment to others into practice. Through this event, the university community recognizes that a well-rounded education is not limited to academic and professional development, but also involves putting one’s talents and abilities to work for the benefit of society.
The Giving Day continues, and you, too, can be part of this effort. Your donation doesn’t end here—there’s still time to join in and contribute to the causes of Comunidad Bonaterra and the Pan-American Talent Fund.
Every contribution counts and can become an opportunity to transform lives. If you’d like to help, you can make a donation to the following account:
Account Holder: FUNDACION UP – IPADE AC
Account Number: 65-51-105142-7
CLABE: 014180655110514271
