Baylor Family Will Serve the Waco Community Through Steppin’ Out
President Livingstone will be among the 1,700 volunteers serving local schools, churches, community organizations
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
Follow Baylor Media Communications on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Nov. 2, 2017) — Every semester, the Baylor University community unites to serve the Waco community through Steppin’ Out, a day of service that strives to enhance student involvement locally. More than 1,700 volunteers from 70-plus student organizations will serve at 63 sites around the Greater Waco area from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The morning will begin with a kickoff celebration at 8 a.m. at the Bill Daniel Student Center, featuring breakfast, T-shirt giveaways and words from Kevin Jackson, Ph.D., vice president for student life, and Elizabeth Palacios, Ph.D., dean for student development. Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., will join students for the kickoff celebration and participate in the Brazos River cleanup.
“I wasn’t expecting that. We asked her to speak at the kickoff event but after that, we were informed she wanted to help pass out tools and work at one of the sites,” said Joan Cartledge, director of Steppin’ Out and a junior secondary education major at Baylor.
Volunteers, including the president, will disperse to various work sites throughout the Waco community. They include parks, neighborhood associations, schools, churches and other organizations, such as Fuzzy Friends, Family Abuse Center, Keep Waco Beautiful and World Hunger Relief Farm. Students will clean, paint, organize, distribute information, bathe and walk dogs, dig trenches, garden and trim trees.
From its origin, Steppin’ Out has been organized and led by students. Students with the Steppin’ Out committee organized and raised funds for tools, water and snacks for volunteers. They also purchased 40 ladders, 100 loppers, more than 100 shovels and rakes, about 150 pairs of gloves and nearly 100 paintbrushes.
“We have a great committee. They are willing, humble and determined in their work,” Cartledge said.
Sponsors include Aramark, Office of Community Engagement & Service, Home Depot, Interfraternity Council, Student Government, Brothers Management, W Promotions, Atwoods Ranch & Home and McCoy’s Building Supply.
Steppin’ Out has been a tradition at Baylor since 1985. It is one of the largest collegiate community service projects in the United States and is nationally recognized for its commitment to service.
“It’s an opportunity for students to serve with their friends while benefiting the local community,” Cartledge said. “It’s a humbling experience that draws increasing numbers every year.”
by Joy Moton, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.