Southwestern Adventist University students, faculty, and staff stepped away from their usual classrooms and offices on September 30 to spend the day serving communities throughout Johnson and Tarrant counties during the University’s annual Ignite Service Day.

Approximately 375 members of the SWAU community participated this year. This is the highest participation in Ignite Service Day to date. More than 360 participants registered in advance, with additional volunteers joining on the day of the event.

The day began at 8 a.m. with worship and orientation at the Keene church before teams departed for service projects throughout the surrounding communities. Ignite Service Day is part of SWAU’s ongoing commitment to combining faith, learning, and service by giving students opportunities to meet practical needs while building relationships beyond campus.

Volunteers served in a wide variety of ways across the community, including sorting and delivering food with Meals on Wheels and Operation Blessing, assisting with animal care at Alvarado Animal Services and the Joshua Animal Shelter, completing landscaping and beautification projects for organizations such as the Children’s Advocacy Center and Mercy Clinic, providing health screenings at Pinnacle Bank wellness booths, and spending time with senior adults at local assisted-living and nursing communities.

Service is central to Southwestern Adventist University’s mission of preparing students to use their knowledge, faith, and abilities in service to others. Throughout the year, SWAU’s Ignite Service program coordinates projects that impact churches, schools, charities, and community organizations.

This year’s record participation offered a visible reminder of what can happen when a university community comes together around a shared purpose: hundreds of helping hands serving neighbors and strengthening the communities SWAU calls home.

 

This Year's Projects

Admin Support for Ignite Service Day - Provide Admin Support for Ignite Service Day

Alvarado Animal Services - Pet Shelter Assistance

Athletics Project - NDAA - Clinic and project at NDAA

Bread Connection/Johnson County Food Bank - Assist with sorting, loading, and delivering bread

CS Project - for CS majors - CS project at SWAU

Children's Advocacy Center - Landscaping/general upkeep at the CAC facility

Christmas in Action - House Painting - Alvarado - Painting House

Christmas in Action - House Painting - Cleburne - Painting House

City of Keene - Fire Department/Landscaping - Landscaping & Fire House Deep Clean

Color Palette at Pegasus @ Chisholm Trail Assisted Living - Spend time with seniors at a local assisted living center

Community Living Concepts - Bowling/crafts with clients

Cook Children's Hospital Flu Clinic - AM - Assisting at flu clinic

Cook Children's Hospital Flu Clinic - PM - Assisting at flu clinic

Crowley House of Hope - Sorting food and household items

East Cleburne Community Center - Enhance community space.

Feed My People - Cook/serve meal, update space, including painting a mural

JN Long Cultural Arts Center - Update space

Joshua Animal Shelter - Pet Shelter Assistance

Keene Church - Community Impact Center - Sorting food and household items

Keene Church - Visitation - Visitation to shutins and retirees

Meals on Wheels - Deliver meals

Media Team - Provides media coverage of event

Mercy Clinic - Beautification and landscaping project

Operation Blessing - Sorting food and household items

Pinnacle Bank - Keene (AM) - BP check & Wellness Booth - Student nurses conduct BP screening and wellness booth

Pinnacle Bank - Cleburne (PM) - BP check & Wellness Booth - Student nurses conduct BP screening and wellness booth

Russell Farms - Update Chicken Coop

Soldiers Point-Texas - Paint transitional veterans home

Town Hall Estates - TLC for Seniors - Spend time with seniors at a local nursing home

University Singers/FT Worth Nature Center - Practice in am, trail maintenance at FT Nature Center in PM

Walking Trail/Disk Golf Course (EXTRA ASSIGNMENT) - Trail maintenance on disc golf course

Wings of Hope Equitherapy - Assist with barn and horse cleanup