The Mulerider volunteer spirit is out in full force. Southern Arkansas University’s Office of Volunteer Services and other organizations assist in projects meeting a variety of needs in Magnolia and Columbia County.
Hurricane Ida Relief – Residents of south Louisiana once again battled mother nature as Hurricane Ida ripped through their towns in August 2021. In response to an urgent need, Southern Arkansas University collected disaster relief items for residents of Lafourche Parish. Athletics, Greeks, Housing, AmeriCorps VISTA, Mulerider Market, Student Activities, Aramark Food
Services, College of Education and Human Performance, and numerous other students, were some that led the way in collecting bottled water, hygiene products, tarps, work gloves, cleaning supplies, and other needed items. SAU volunteers made the journey to personally deliver the products.
CCAPS – SAU students took action by volunteering at the Columbia County Animal Protection Society shelter. After completing orientation, students are able to volunteer. Many animals at the shelter are unfamiliar with human touch and are in need of love. Students have provided more than 117 service hours since September.
Boo in the Barnyard – Boo in the Barnyard is an annual event hosted by the Southern Arkansas University Agricultural department in October. SAU students and instructors from the department welcomed the community to a fun evening filled with several different opportunities to get a taste of the agricultural life. The department gives a special thank you to Peoples Bank and Bodcaw Bank for their donations, and Arkansas Farm Bureau for allowing the department to use their Agricultural Education trailer.
PAWS on the Mall – The Office of Volunteer Services partnered with the Mulerider Activity Center to host Paws on the Mall this fall. 47 volunteers assisted the 306 students who stopped to interact with the animals.
Panther football – Mulerider volunteers helped out with the Magnolia School District Band Booster and Panther Quarterback Booster Club concession stands this past season reigning in over 60 service hours.
Boys and Girls Club – Mulerider students stay active at the Magnolia Boys and Girls Club, volunteering at concession stands, serving as referees, coaching, helping with homework, giving
guitar lessons, mentoring, or simply doing after-school rotations. More than 70 SAU students have given their time to the Club, putting in 80 hours at concession stands and over 300
hours in after-school assistance. Additionally, SAU Housing and students in freshman seminar classes hosted the Trunk or Treat event at the Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday, October 27. Residents of Greene, Honors, Arkansas, and Burns-Harsh halls helped account for more than 30 volunteers who had a blast handing out candy, cooking hot dogs, and playing games with children
from the Club.
Stewpot – The Stewpot provides hot meals for members of the community at the First United Methodist Church of Magnolia each week. Thirty four Muleriders enthusiastically volunteer their time to assist in this worthy endeavor.
