Days of Service 2021 benefits thousands in the CSRA

Days of Service, Augusta University’s annual community service project, was held from Nov. 1-19. This year, over 1,300 volunteers registered to participate.

The annual Days of Service project is one of the many ways Augusta University comes together to share its spirit of service and “lend a paw” to those who need it most. During this event, the students, employees and families of Augusta University come together to make a difference in the local community.

More than 90 service projects were offered in support of 36 community organizations throughout the CSRA — nearly double the 50 projects and 25 organizations that were sponsored in 2020.

“We are so grateful and proud of our incredible AU and AU Health System family of volunteers. Our students, employees, and their families saw the diverse needs in our community and stepped up in a big way to offer support to those who need it most,” said Tina Baggott, associate vice president of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement.

“Each of one of these volunteers understands that service is the key to strengthening our community today and an investment in a better tomorrow.”

Campus impact:

More than 1,000 notes of encouragement were written to Augusta University Health patients and health care workers
1,296 pounds of food were collected for the Open Paws Food Pantry, benefiting students struggling with food insecurity
Hundreds of patient support items were donated to AU Health, including 150 items benefiting 50+ adult patients; 400 items benefiting 250+ pediatric patients; and 750 items benefiting 300+ cancer patients
500 support and comfort items were donated to residents of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, benefiting 250 senior war veterans
100 care packages were donated to workers at AU Health, in continuation of the #OurAUHeroes campaign

Community impact:

AU volunteers donated 900 pounds of pet food and treats as well as 1,061 pet toys and adoption comfort items
Wrote over 250 notes of encouragement to first responders and families facing hardship
Served meals to over 2,000 community members who are facing food insecurity
Provided job and life skills training support to more than 30 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Remodeled, redecorated and otherwise improved facilities for 7 local nonprofits which serve more than 20,000 local citizens
Donated 200 hospice support and comfort items to patients in the final stages of life
Provided gifts to 430 local families and 1,000 local children to brighten their holiday season
Cleared over 2,000 pounds of trash and debris from community spaces
Collected 125 coats and gloves for families facing financial hardship
Gave 200 children’s books to local schools and libraries to support literacy programs
Donated 500 items and more than 20 hours of service to support survivors of domestic violence and their families