AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of University of Texas at Austin students, faculty and staff spent their Saturday off-campus for the school’s largest single day of community service.
It’s the 25th year of what’s known as The Project. This year, volunteers completed beautification projects at six schools in the Dove Springs area of southeast Austin.
Volunteers at Perez Elementary mulched trees, rebuilt outdoor classrooms, landscaped the courtyard and painted banners with positive messages.
“It feels really good,” said Dana Phillips, the program coordinator with the UT Dean of Students Office. “It feels awesome to see so many students coming out and spending their Saturday doing this work.”
Hannah Kim, a UT junior majoring in Biology, started working at 5 a.m. and planned to stay until 11 p.m.
“I just really appreciate how the people who are living here … express to us how much they love what we do and how much it means to them,” Kim said.
Volunteers also did similar work at Palm Elementary School, Blazier Elementary School, Ojeda Middle School, Harmony School of Innovation and City School.
Organizers plan to return to Dove Springs in spring 2025 to continue their work.
The Project focuses on one community for two to three years to build relationships and do lasting good. For more information about The Project, visit the UT Dean of Students website.