Baylor University 'Steppin' Out' to Serve Waco Community Nov. 10
by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
Baylor University's biannual day of service, Steppin' Out, will take place Saturday, Nov. 10, from noon to 6 p.m. at various locations throughout the Waco community.
This year more than 2,800 students are expected to participate - about 150 more students than last semester. Volunteers will paint houses, make home improvements and clean up river and park areas. They will also participate in nursing home visits and fundraising activities like washing cars for Mission Waco.
Steppin' Out has always been known for its housing projects, but wanted to broaden its horizons this semester, said Travis Wendt, a junior professional selling major from Houston who is a member of the Steppin' Out student steering committee.
"This year we tried to focus more on service opportunities centered around interaction with people. The result has been an increase in projects in nursing homes and fundraising activities for local charities," Wendt said.
The service project offers a variety of ways for Baylor students to serve the community. Most participants leave feeling they made a difference in someone's life, Wendt said.
"Most people love Steppin' Out and come back and participate again every semester," he said.
Sponsored by the department of student activities, Steppin' Out is a nationally recognized program that demonstrates Baylor students' commitment to service.
One day is set aside each semester for Baylor students as well as faculty, staff and volunteers from Waco to go into the community and volunteer in assorted projects. A student steering committee works on this program year round and helps facilitate and organize the days of service that average 12,000 volunteer hours per semester.
For more information, contact Karin Klinger in the department of student activities at Karin_Klinger@baylor.edu or at (254) 710-6936 or (254) 710-2371, or visit the student activities Web site at https://studentactivities.web.baylor.edu/.