IMPACT service organization kicked off their spring project schedule last Tuesday. All Auburn University students are invited to participate in any of the partner projects they offer each week.


Find more videos like this on The Loveliest Village


Last semester, 2,836 students volunteered with IMPACT for at least two hours.

“Volunteers usually come from Greek or other student organizations, as a class project or because they just have a heart for serving others,” said IMPACT advisor Tim King.

If you want to volunteer with IMPACT, choose a project from the online schedule and meet at the intramural field parking lot at the appropriate time. A project coordinator will provide you with an volunteer waiver form that allows you to participate. One of the 29 project coordinators leads the group of volunteers at each event. There is no weekly commitment, just show up and volunteer when you can and as often as you would like. IMPACT currently works with the following partners.

The East Alabama Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that collects food in order to feed the hungry and less fortunate. When volunteering at the food bank, you will help the staff organize the pantries and other little projects.

Located in Opelika, Alabama, Storybook Farm offers spiritual nourishment and emotional healing to children with disabilities, life-threatening diseases, or those who have suffered a loss. Some of their programs include therapeutic horseback riding and creative activity. While volunteering at this site, you can expect to help with daily tasks to maintain the farm and its animals.

At Joyland Daycare Center and Loachapoka Elementary School, volunteers help teachers with their daily workloads, as well as getting to spend time playing with the children and helping them with their homework. Another children’s project, Reading is Fundamental, is a national organization that combats illiteracy. Volunteers are needed to label books that are sent to at-risk children.

The Lee County Humane Society provides a shelter for many stray animals including cats, dogs, hamsters, and rabbits. Volunteers at the Humane Society play with the cats, walk or wash the dogs, and assist the staff.

Many of the residents at Azalea Retirement home and Camellia Place do not have friends or relatives around the area. IMPACT volunteers can interact with the elderly community by keeping them company or playing a few games of bingo.

Community Market is a nonprofit organization that provides food for families in an emergency situation. Like a grocery store, people shop within pre-set limitations for food that is provided by the Alabama Food Bank. Volunteering at the market entails answering the phone, helping with checkout, and stocking the shelves.

Parkerson Mill Creek runs directly through the heart of Auburn.  An ‘adopt-a-stream’ type program, students will be cleaning up the project area and removing exotic plant life.

Awards are given each semester to the volunteer with the most hours. Collin Stutts and Shayne Outlaw tied for last semester’s award with 34 service hours.

IMPACT has also organized its first alternative spring break program. This year, 19 students were chosen to go to Charleston, where they will work with Habitat for Humanity. While they’re there, students will interact with two other universities and stay at a local church. The advisor said he hopes they can make it a new tradition at Auburn.

The complete spring project schedule and more information about volunteering are available on IMPACT’s Website at auburn.edu/impact.