Class of 2016 Begins Year with Day of Service

On Saturday, August 25, the Class of 2016 spread out across the city of Columbia to show what women can do when we work together for the common good. Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin participated in the event's morning kick-off and twelve teams of students are volunteering with eleven community organizations throughout the Columbia area where together, students will share their time and talents to support a worthy cause.

The Day of Service is the first time the class of 2016 will step out into the community as a group. This opportunity for service not only engages them within the City of Columbia but is also one of their first opportunities to begin creating a community among their peers. In addition to learning about the needs of the community, the students will also learn about their classmates and themselves.

The service sites include:

Affordable Housing Resources

Project: Students will participate in landscaping and yard work at one of the rental properties.

Agape’ Senior Residences
Project: Students will engage in activities with residents including games, conversation, singing, etc., at the Harbison, Kathwood, Lexington, and West Columbia locations.

Columbia College
Project: Students will participate with the Square Foot Gardening Foundation in relocating and expanding the on-campus Square-Foot vegetable gardens.

The Free Medical Clinic
Project: Students will assist in filing charts, entering and verifying client data, etc.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Project: Students will participate in various tasks, such as cleaning, pricing, organizing, and sorting donated items.

Lexington Gardens
Project: Students will participate in a Makeover Day with residents, including a tea and photo shoot.

Richland County Public Library
Project: Students will assist with cleaning, organizing, and shelving the books in the Children’s Room.

Transitions
Project: Students will work in organizing or cleaning areas, such as the kitchen, clothing closet, yard, etc.

(check back for more photos from all the service sites!)