Hundreds from Union University volunteer across West Tenn.
JACKSON, Tenn. — Hundreds of Union University faculty, staff and students got out of the classroom Tuesday for a good cause. Students trimmed hedges at the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson. Zack Langley, a senior, is one of nearly 1,000 Union University volunteers the school said served around the area Tuesday. “It has a rewarding feeling to it to be able to help people,” Langley said. Students sprayed Roundup outside the building. Inside, volunteers cleaned and organized. “We’re legitimately all working,” Union University‘s Dr. Nina Heckler said. “We don’t stand around and visit. I mean, we are here to serve.” Union University said they saw an outpouring of support from the community after tornadoes hit campus in 2002, 2003 and 2008. This is their way of saying thank you. “We just felt truly blessed through that experience, so we wanted to give back,” Heckler said. The university said they had volunteers dispersed at 50 different projects across the area. Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Sabrina Anderson said they do not have maintenance or custodial staff, so this helps. “When your place needs a little sprucing up and you want it to look better and you’ve got people willing to make that happen, you say thank you,” she said. Langley said he hopes to show the community they care. “If we can help in any way, I want to be part of that,” he said. Union canceled classes Tuesday so students, faculty and staff could participate. Students kicked off Campus and Community day Tuesday morning with a chapel service.
