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On September 13, the University of Georgia commemorated Dawg Day of Service, the most significant day of student community involvement in Athens. 488 students participated with 23 community partner organizations and campus locations, which included local gardens, food and clothing pantries, thrift shops, and animal shelters.

Serve UGA, a student-led organization guided by the Division of Student Affairs’ department of Engagement, Leadership, and Service, organizes the yearly Dawg Day of Service and collaborates with 12 local entities to facilitate regular service days throughout the year.

Talia Swanson, a second-year Master of Public Health student, has served as a Serve UGA ambassador for two years and has taken part in Dawg Day of Service for three years.

“It truly shaped my journey towards exploring other civic engagement opportunities and has even partly shaped my career ambitions,” Swanson remarked. “It will always represent that aspect of Athens and UGA that empowered me to believe I could instigate change or contribute to endeavors greater than myself.”

This year, Swanson was assigned to assist at the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, which provides support to numerous families in the Athens community. Swanson felt driven by the vital work being done by the shelter.

“By aiding entire families during challenging periods, the shelter not only delivers immediate assistance but also helps cultivate stronger, healthier futures for both children and the broader community,” she stated.

Dawg Day of Service offers a distinctive opportunity for UGA students to connect the campus with the wider Athens community. Students have the chance to engage with their peers while actively applying their values through community involvement.

This year, students contributed their efforts at the following community and campus locations: Athens Area Homeless Shelter, Athens Area Humane Society, Athens Community Council on Aging, Athens Land Trust, Barrow Elementary School Garden, Brightpaths, Brooklyn Cemetery, Burks Elementary School Garden, CHaRM, City of Refuge, Family Promise of Athens, Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, J. J. Harris Elementary School Garden, Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful, Keep Oconee County Beautiful, Oconee Forest Park, SGA Professional Clothing Closet, Project Safe Thrift Store, Student Care and Outreach Food Pantry, Sweet Olive Farm and Animal Rescue, UGA Trial Gardens, Vincent’s Place Sanctuary, and Wesley Woods of Athens.

For students eager to become involved with Serve UGA, the organization organizes over 40 service events each semester. Further information can be found at https://els.uga.edu/serveuga/.

The article Nearly 500 UGA students volunteer in the Athens community first appeared on UGA Today.

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