Campuswide Service Project Brings Together Students, Faculty, Staff

All summer, incoming students and their families have been bringing donations with them to FASET orientation to benefit women and children at a shelter near Georgia Tech.

Now, the campus community is being asked to help package these items as part of Small Act Big Impact, a program organized by the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement.

The program introduces new students to the “service” part of Tech’s “progress and service” motto by having them make donations and perform an act of service before they even attend their first classes. It also gives the rest of campus a chance to interact, meet new students, and give back together.

“Current students often express an interest in working more closely with faculty and staff on service projects,” said Sarah Perkins, civic engagement coordinator. “Our hope is that the packaging event can provide that opportunity during a student’s first weekend on campus.”

Donations will be packed into “critical needs” and “job” kits for the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, an Atlanta Mission facility. The packaging event will take place on the first floor of the Student Center, near the Piedmont Room, on Friday, Aug. 15, from 5 to 6 p.m. All are invited to attend or stop by; an online RSVP is encouraged but not required.

“We see this program as an entry point for students to learn about civic engagement on campus and to meet others who share an interest in service,” Perkins said. 

Donations can be made now through Aug. 15. A collection bin is located in the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement, Room 2211 in the Student Center Commons, or donations can be brought directly to the packaging event. 

Items needed include:

Travel-sized toiletries:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Bar soap
• Body wash
• Body spray/perfume

Job/office supplies:

• Spiral notebooks (8.5 x 11”)
• Journals (lined)
• USB flash drives
• Quart-sized plastic bags

Learn more at the Leadership and Civic Engagement website.