Super Service Saturday returned Sept. 7, uniting the community to make a significant impact through various volunteer activities and projects.
The energy was palpable as students made their way to sites with a shared sense of purpose as everyone prepared to contribute. The enthusiasm was clear, evident that everyone was eager to make an impact.
Kristine Cross, an assistant director at the Follett Student Leadership Center, said Super Service Saturday aims to give back to community partners who need help, at least once a semester. This was the second biggest event hosted by UTA Volunteers, with over 300 participants around Arlington registered to assist various organizations, clubs and individuals.
“It really helps the students understand the value of their service and their ability to make a positive impact within the Arlington area, and within UTA,” Cross said.
Angela Odaibo, a student director for UTA Volunteers, said the initiative has always had a huge turnout and impact on the community, and consistent success each year drives them to keep going.
“I always say this thing that, ‘It takes one person to make a difference,’” she said. “If we’re gonna keep pushing for people to go out and serve, it’s important that as a university we take that initiative to go do that.”
Mia Arnsworth, a student director for UTA Volunteers, said this event benefits the campus community because it highlights what’s happening in Arlington, and gets students out of their comfort zones.
“I hope [volunteers] realize that you really helped someone out today, or you filled someone else’s cup while filling your own cup,” Arnsworth said. “I hope they feel good that they gave back to the community.”
Volunteers at Arlington Parks and Recreation, Friends of O.S. Gray and Arlington Water Utilities helped with cleaning, gardening and organizing the areas. At Arlington Public Library, participants shifted and straightened books, provided technology service help and handled administrative tasks. Others loaded and unloaded furniture and assisted with home decor at ShareFest, and at Arlington Charities, they cleaned storage areas, painted multipurpose areas and packed food bags for distribution.
Sophomore site leader Katherine Johnson said the event has a positive impact because it helps various organizations with their causes through volunteer support.
“Seeing the impact and knowing that what you’re doing means something,” Johnson said. “It really makes me want to continue doing it.”
Terri Fowler, owner of Sarah’s Bag Ladies, gives back to the community by taking recycled plastic bags and weaving them into bed rolls for the homeless. These bed rolls are lightweight, don’t mold and protect users from wet grass. They’re much more comfortable to sleep on than concrete, she said.
Participants were busily cutting and flattening bags, listening attentively to Fowler, who was happy to be there and lend a helping hand. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with everyone focused on contributing to the cause and enjoying the sense of community.
“[Volunteers] are really very important to our organization,” Fowler said. “Because our organization is very small and we have lots of people donating bags. Not so many people are willing to sit and cut them and even fewer people will weave them. So we save up bags for months to bring up here and [volunteers] flatten them all for us and cut them all for us.”
“I think it has a major impact,” freshman site leader Calliope Bradford said. “I think it helps so many people, and it helps keep our general campus and our town, the city, absolutely beautiful, and it’s super fun.”
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