On Sept. 21, more than 500 University of Georgia students participated in Dawg Day of Service, UGA’s largest annual day of student-led community service. Celebrating its 11th year, the event set records for the number of participating students and service sites, highlighting students’ growing commitment to community involvement.
Led by Director of Member Development Emma Benedict, students pack essential hygiene items for community members at City of Refuge.
Organized by Serve UGA – student-led groups within UGA’s Department of Engagement, Leadership, and Service – students spread across 30 diverse locations throughout Athens-Clarke County and the surrounding area. Their efforts included cleaning spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness, writing cards for memory care patients, and planting gardens.
Participating student organizations included the Black Affairs Council, Alpha Sigma Phi, ASL Dawgs, Filipino Student Association, Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., University Union, UGA Homecoming, UGA NAACP, the Graduate Student Association, and the Black Felicity Student Association.
Community partners with longstanding relationships with UGA students were also part of the event. Sabrina Webb, a participant experience coordinator for Dawg Day of Service and a service ambassador for UGArden, shared her heart for service.
Two volunteers hold gourds at Athens Community Council on Aging community garden, led by Service Ambassador Anna Thomas. Students helped prepare the garden for fall production and overwintering, which supports ACCA’s senior hunger initiatives like Turkeypalooza and Squash Senior Hunger.
“I would recommend serving to other students because it gives one the ability to meet like-minded people and know that you are making a difference in what you did during the event,” Webb said. “I believe through our core value of sustainable service we are able to leave a lasting impression and not a quick, fleeting action.”
Webb grew up on an animal rescue farm and emphasized the significance of animal rescue in her life. She expressed that her experiences have brought her joy while volunteering and highlighted that the knowledge of making a positive impact on animals, the environment, or people’s lives motivates her to continue her volunteer work.
In addition to off-campus activities, students could contribute to on-campus initiatives, including the UGA Period Project, Bulldog Basics, the Disability Resource Center and the Professional Clothing Closet. These projects were conveniently hosted in the Tate Student Center Grand Hall, and digital volunteer opportunities such as creating coloring sheets for children supported by the Athens Area Diaper Bank were also available.
The following 30 sites benefited from student volunteers’ efforts:
- Athens Area Diaper Bank
- Athens Area Homeless Shelter
- Athens Area Humane Society
- Athens Community Council on Aging
- Athens Land Trust
- Atlanta Mission Thrift Store
- Bigger Vision of Athens Community Shelter
- Brightpaths
- Broad River Watershed Association (in collaboration with Ramsey Outdoor Recreation & Rivers Alive)
- Brooklyn Cemetery
- Burks Elementary School garden
- CHaRM
- Cleveland Road Elementary School garden
- Divas Who Win
- Extra Special People
- Family Promise of Athens
- Georgia Museum of Art
- Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Site 1
- Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Site 2
- Keep Oconee County Beautiful
- Lyndon House Arts Center
- Nuci’s Space
- Oconee County Library
- Oconee Forest Park
- Professional Clothing Closet
- Project Safe
- Spirit Ridge Rescue
- Sweet Olive Farm
- The Backpack Project
- Trial Gardens
- Whit Davis School garden
For more information about Dawg Day of Service and future volunteer opportunities, please contact ugaels@uga.edu.