Saturday morning University of Arkansas – Fort Smith students rose early to give back to their community through cleaning, organizing, boxing and more at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Fort Smith. The students’ selfless efforts were part of Lions Community Outreach Day, an annual event where students give back to their region.

Students gathered at UAFS at 9 a.m. before traveling to the Salvation Army to begin their day of service.

“The Fort Smith community supports UAFS so much,” explained Holley Maness, director of events for the Campus Activities Board, “and Lions Community Outreach Day is a day that allows students to give back.” 

In addition to their volunteering Saturday, the Lions Community Outreach Day team helped equip other students to volunteer throughout the year, by sharing organizations in need of support.

“LCOD also provides students with information on places they can volunteer at outside of this day, so they can get more involved in the community and be a part of the many great things that are going on in it,” Maness said. 

Participants, by their town of residence, were:

Fort Smith: Daniela Hernandez, Tran Nguyen, Ena Pacheco, Blakelynn Roberson, and Alyssa Winters.

Greenwood: Kaitlyn Jones.

Harrison: Laura Henderson.

Hot Springs: Kristin Williams.

Muldrow, Oklahoma: Tristian Price.

Oden: Zoe Singleton and Kaley Underwood.

Pencil Bluff: Grace Martin.

Pine Bluff: Chonica Meadows.

Poteau, Oklahoma: Robert Elkins.

Springdale: Kendra Holmes and Stephanie Long.

Van Buren: Betsy Corona, Briana McLain, and Ashley Rosborough.

In addition to serving their community through Lions Community Outreach Day, UAFS students also participated in national volunteer week on campus. The UAFS Volunteer Week slate featured service opportunities including a volunteer fair and T-shirt swap April 15; a dog toy workshop for the HOPE Humane Society April 19; and a non-perishable food drive for the Salvation Army with donation stations at the Lion’s Den residence halls, the UAFS Housing Office, the Recreation and Wellness Center, and the Student Activities Office.