by Isaiah Hinsley and Bonnie Butcher
The University of West Georgia College of Social Sciences (COSS) and the Community Foundation of West Georgia worked together to continue the Annual All-College Service Day on Friday, September 11. The COSS partnered with various nonprofit organizations in the community for a day dedicated to serving humanity and doing public good.
Students work with Keep Carroll Beautiful at Knox Park.
“We are very excited to continue our All-College Service Day in partnership with the Community Foundation of West Georgia and the nonprofits they assist,” said Dr. Amber Smallwood, associate dean of the College of Social Sciences. “We expect to gift nearly 300 hours of service through a single morning of service in the community.”
Students visited eight different nonprofit organizations in the West Georgia community. Since the first year of this event, the amount of site locations has doubled. The eight nonprofit projects include: Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, Carroll County Animal Shelter, 415 HOPE Center, Georgia Native Plant Society, Keep Carroll Beautiful, Carrollton Greenbelt, and the S.C.R.A.P Bin. Faculty, staff, and students came together for this day of outreach, creating a positive ripple effect in our community.
For sophomore Brittany Ricciardi, the decision to volunteer was easy. “I like to find different areas in Carrollton where I can give back,” she said. “Helping the less fortunate and beautiful organizations is what I’m most passionate about.”
The All-College Service day was fortunate to have wonderful weather for the volunteer work outdoors. The Georgia Native Plant Society volunteers cleared the hiking trail along Buffalo Creek and helped Keep Carroll Beautiful maintain their community gardens and turnover beds for fall planting. At the Carrollton Greenbelt, volunteers helped beautify the 16-mile hike-and-bike trail in select areas, including portions on campus.
Student Ashley Wilson and Goldie Locks
At Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park, volunteers helped power wash and sand hundreds of bricks dedicated to veterans of the community. The park honors over 1,200 veterans of Carroll County, both living and passed. The volunteers helped prepare the park for their dedication service, taking place on the weekend before Veterans Day.
WOLF Internet Radio General Manager Shawn Isaacs spent his day at the park. “Being able to volunteer today, especially on 9/11, gives us an opportunity to show what it means to be Americans, Carroll County residents, and West Georgia faculty and students,” he said.
Volunteers at the Carroll County Animal Shelter helped socialize dogs and cats with humans and the other animals. For freshman Ashley Wilson, it turned out to be more than just a day of volunteering when she decided to adopt a dog.
“I came here to help the community,” Ashley said. "I fell in love with Goldie Locks, and I decided to take her home.”
At the Manna House Food Pantry, volunteers helped organize donation pantries, clip and organize vouchers, clean rooms, and service the house in other activities. 415 HOPE Center helps provide traditional housing for men who were once homeless. Volunteers helped with landscaping and planting. The S.C.R.A.P Bin organization helpers arranged art and crafts supplies for their store display.
“Under UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero’s leadership, the University of West Georgia set community partnerships as a priority in our strategic plan,” said Dr. Smallwood. “The All-College Service Day is one of many community-focused initiatives led by faculty, staff, and students in the College of Social Sciences.”
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