Students give back on serve day

Morgan Ealy photo

Students participate in serve day by cleaning the arboretum.

Troy University SGA Committee held a community serve day last Friday for SGA members international students and Greek life organizations.

The serve day was an all-day affair consisting of four different events for students to choose from to participate in around the community.

The serve day has been a tradition put on every semester for the past two years.

“I look forward to when the students from different branches all come together and serve,” said Sarah Mayes, a senior biomedical sciences student from Hazel Green, Alabama, and SGA Community Service Committee Chair.

“It's fun for us as well because we get to spend time together while we’re serving and doing something really good.”

The different events included assembling book kits for kids with the SHORT the Squirrel Literacy program, playing bingo with seniors at the Senior Nutrition Center, cleanup at Troy’s Arboretum and processing canless castle donations at the Office of Civic Engagement.

Mayes volunteered at the Senior Nutrition Center, playing bingo with the seniors.

“It's really cool to meet people from the community,” Mayes said.

“I think so often we feel not completely like residents as college students, so I think it’s great we can be connected to the greater Troy community, not just in an on-campus bubble.

“We can be a part of the community that’s there and give back to them as they pour so much into the college campus.”

Mayes shared something she hoped everyone involved in the serve day takes away from this experience.

“I hope students are able to see that this is fun,” Mayes said. “Community service doesn't have to be something that's draining or unbearable.

“Service may be hard work at times, but it's really rewarding and worthwhile.”

Elizabeth McMahan, a senior biomedical sciences major from Decatur, Alabama, is on the International Involvement Committee of SGA Cabinet. She attended the bingo event at the Senior Nutrition Center.

The bingo event provided prizes for the seniors, donated by local businesses in Troy. McMahan talked about how this experience personally impacted her.

“Personally, it helped get me out of my shell, do something new and interact with new people in the community,” McMahan said.

“Everyone I got to serve with today, myself included, really got to make connections with the seniors and learn more about them.

“We really enjoyed just spending time with them, and they invited us back, so they enjoyed having us there as well.”

Omair Jafry, a freshman computer science major from Gondia, India, volunteered at the arboretum cleanup event Friday afternoon, where he cleared walking trails and picked up garbage.

“It's my first time experiencing volunteering here in the United States, so I’m loving it,” Jafry said.

“I love to volunteer, and I used to volunteer a lot back in India.

“A lot of my friends back in India used to volunteer with me, and we would just come and help with people’s basic needs.”

Jafry came to the United States this past December and immediately jumped at the opportunity to help the community of Troy.

“You should come out, volunteer and enjoy nature,” Jafry said. “I like the fresh air, the sunny weather and getting to know nature and all.

“You also make new friends and gain experience. It’s good to work and help other people because it’s for the people.”