(Feb. 25, 2019) — Hundreds of UTSA students, faculty, staff and alumni will spread their wings across San Antonio this week to lend a hand to the community they call home. As part of UTSA’s 50th anniversary and as San Antonio’s urban serving university, Roadrunners are giving back to the city during UTSA Day of Service by volunteering at nearly 20 service agencies throughout San Antonio. This year’s Day of Service themes include animals, arts and culture, children, community, educational, environmental, health, homelessness and hunger, and youth and family programs.
The UTSA Day of Service begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2 at the Main Campus. Volunteers will gather in front of the Convocation Center to check in and have breakfast. Shuttles will leave campus at 9:15 a.m. to take the volunteers to their assigned service project.
>> Register to participate in UTSA Day of Service.
Cameron Nguyen, a UTSA Honors College senior majoring in computer science and statistics, finds participating rewarding.
“By combining fun, direct service with education about the challenges community members face, students learn how enjoyable and impactful their work can be,” said Nguyen. “They can develop their passion for helping the community that will last even beyond the Day of Service, which not only benefits the city today, but in the future as well.”
First-generation Roadrunner E’Mon Carson enjoys the comradery that Day of Service brings.
“I love that Day of Service brings the entire UTSA community together,” said Carson. ”Oftentimes, the organizations on campus do their own community service throughout the year, but Day of Service is the one time that we all get together and give back to the San Antonio community.”
Participants should dress comfortably, following the dress code based off project needs and come ready to work. Those who register online will receive a Day of Service t-shirt. Once registration closes at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and prior to the Day of Service on March 2, volunteers will be notified of their assigned service project.
Participating service agencies and projects include:
- Animal Care Services: clinic and adoption projects
- Animal Defense League of Texas: painting
- Cibolo Nature Center and Farm: trail work and gardening
- Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership Program: gardening, painting and playground clean up
- Habitat for Humanity: building homes
- Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: trail work and planting
- Muscular Dystrophy Association South Texas: building kits for San Antonio Fire Dept. Fill the Boot campaign
- Plaza Guadalupe: planting and painting
- San Antonio Food Bank: sorting and stocking shelves
- San Antonio Parks: Beautification
- San Antonio River Walk Association: Mardi Gras Festival preparations
- San Antonio State Hospital: landscape beautification
- San Antonio Youth Literary: book sorting
- The Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society: preparing for the Starfish 5K Run/Walk
- The DoSeum: family engagement and prepping materials
- UTSA Campus Garden: gardening clean up
- UTSA Roadrunner Pantry: cleaning and organizing
Inspired by President Taylor Eighmy’s desire to integrate a service component into his Inauguration in 2017, the Day of Service emphasizes one of UTSA’s longest standing volunteer traditions for the Roadrunner Nation to come together and give back to the San Antonio community.
>> Read President Eighmy and Peggy Eighmy’s message about UTSA Day of Service.
The event also serves as UTSA’s contribution to The University of Texas System’s United to Serve volunteer initiative, challenging each campus in the system to develop a unique service activity. This year marks the 15th year UTSA is holding a Day of Service/United to Serve event.
