Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) students, faculty, and staff stepped away from their usual classrooms and offices on Sept. 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.
The day began at 8 a.m. with worship and orientation at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church before teams departed for service projects throughout the surrounding communities. 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 SWAU’s mission of preparing students to use their knowledge, faith, and abilities in service to others.
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. 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.