Baylor’s Steppin’ Out Promotes Unity Among Students and Waco Community

October 17, 2019

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-6275
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia

by Cerenity Austin, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations

WACO, Texas (Oct. 17, 2019) – Baylor University will host Steppin’ Out from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. Approximately 1,800 volunteers from 83 student organizations will join together to serve the community at various locations around the Waco area.

Steppin’ Out is a student-led day of community service dedicated to helping the Waco community in various projects from cleanup to renovation. Since 1985, Baylor has become nationally recognized for its commitment to service through Steppin’ Out, one of the largest collegiate community service projects in the United States.

“Service is a pillar in line with Baylor's mission statement,” said Angie Salguero, senior communication sciences and disorders major from Katy, Texas, and executive director of Steppin’ Out. “Participating in the Steppin’ Out Day of Service is a way to embody the mission and integrate into our collegiate culture.”

Students will serve four-hour shifts at more than 65 locations. The shifts will run from 8 a.m. to noon, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Salguero said Steppin’ Out impacts the community by reaching out to those who are in need regardless of disabilities, age or financial situations.

Volunteers will clean, paint, organize, distribute information, dig trenches, garden and trim trees. Worksites include: NeighborWorks Waco; the Brazos River Cleanup with Keep Waco Beautiful; various neighborhood associations such as Cedar Ridge, Brooks Oaks and Elm Mott; Indian Spring Middle School; Kendrick Elementary School; various churches; Bell’s Hill Elementary; Woodway Parks and Recreation; Restore; Austin Boxer Rescue; and All-Breed Rescue.

Doriann Beverly, Ph.D., interim senior coordinator for community and service in the Baylor Office of Community Engagement and Service, said that volunteers also will assist at the All-Breed Rescue event and the Fall Fossil Festival, walk dogs and teach them basic commands at the Austin Boxer Rescue, lead various neighborhood and city cleanups and clean local school buses. Also, a volunteer team from the Harmony School of Innovation will join with Baylor students to serve the community.

The event is sponsored by multiple businesses and departments from the Baylor and Waco community. Sponsors include: Office of Community Engagement & Service; department of multicultural affairs; W Promotions; Baylor Parent Fund; Brothers Management; Sherwin-Williams; Home Depot; Drug Emporium; Fuzzy’s Taco Shop; and Chuy’s.

For more information, visit the Steppin’ Out website or contact Doriann_Beverly@baylor.edu or Angie_Salguero@baylor.edu.

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 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.