New UGA students volunteer in Athens-Clarke County

Athens, Ga. – Early on Saturday, Aug. 27, nearly 200 University of Georgia first-year and transfer students gathered at the Tate Student Center to participate in the inaugural “New Student Day of Service”– a spinoff of UGA’s largest annual community volunteer event, “Dawg Day of Service.” This year’s twist offered incoming first-year and transfer students a unique opportunity to serve the Athens-Clarke County community together. While mingling over breakfast, an excited energy pervaded the group as many were eager to both make new friends and have a positive impact. 

After opening words from community partner Bryce Seuntjens with Books for Keeps, students split up to deploy across different service areas all over Athens. Some of these service sites included Books for Keeps, Keep Athens Clark County Beautiful outdoor projects at JJ Harris Elementary and Barrow Elementary, The Backpack Project, Oasis Católico Santa Rafaela, Athens Area Humane Society, Athens-Clarke County Animal Services, and many others. 

For Kilie Wilson, a transfer animal science major, participating in the New Student Day of Service was a great way to kickstart her life at UGA and engage in meaningful service work. “Volunteering at the Athens Humane Society allowed me to get off campus and learn what the community of Athens is about. Being here today I was able to interact with animals, which being a pre-vet student was really great because I have a passion for animals. I loved being able to meet new people, make new connections, and help meet the needs of animals in the shelter.”