Three dozen residences, non-profit organizations and businesses in the Russellville area benefited from the volunteer efforts of Arkansas Tech University students during Green and Gold Give Back 2024 on Saturday, Nov. 16.
More than 250 ATU students participated in the institution’s largest annual day of community service, which is organized by the ATU Department of Campus Life.
“Today is about giving back to the community,” said ATU Student Government Association President Elli White, a senior from Malvern. “Russellville is such a great place to be and a great place to go to college. I’m so happy that I’m here, and this gives us an opportunity to give back and connect. This shows that ATU students have a lot of heart. It makes me so happy to see all these people. When ATU comes together it warms my heart. Get out in the community, do some service, have some good times, drink some coffee…what else would you want to do on a Saturday morning?”
ATU students performed maintenance tasks such as raking leaves, removing limbs, cleaning windows and painting.
“This represents the unity that exists on the ATU campus,” said ATU Student Activities Board President Jae Thomas, a senior from Bryant. “You see so many different organizations come together for the same cause. It shows how many people are active on campus. I see new faces at this event every year. ATU students are dedicated to giving back to our Russellville community. We value community service, and we appreciate everything that Russellville does for us.”
Green and Gold Give Back was established in 2013 and has been carried out every year since.
“I think it’s fantastic to see students so passionate about giving back to our community,” said Megan Bell, coordinator of civic and community engagement and leadership development in the ATU Department of Campus Life. “They don’t even know where they are going or who they are helping when they report at the beginning of the day, but they are excited to be a part of it. I really appreciate all the students putting in all this work. I always hear great things from the locations that we serve.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of Campus Life at www.atu.edu/campuslife.
