Nearly 500 UGA students volunteer in the Athens community

On Sept. 13, the University of Georgia celebrated Dawg Day of Service, the largest day of student community service in Athens. 488 students volunteered with 23 community partner organizations and campus sites including local gardens, food and clothing pantries, thrift stores and animal rescues.

Serve UGA, a student-run organization advised by the Division of Student Affairs’ department of Engagement, Leadership, and Service, plans the annual Dawg Day of Service and partners with 12 local organizations to host regular days of service throughout the year.

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

“It really set the trajectory of me seeking out other civic engagement events and even partly influenced my career aspirations,” Swanson said. “It will always be that piece of Athens and UGA that made me feel like I had the power to make a change or contribute to things that are even greater than myself.”