St. Mary’s kicks off academic year with day of service

Continuing the Heritage event on Aug. 24 continues work with local nonprofits  across San Antonio

St. Mary’s University students, faculty, staff and alumni will volunteer across San Antonio on Saturday, Aug. 24, for Continuing the Heritage — the longstanding event during which the St. Mary’s community serves at partnering nonprofits throughout the city.  

The day of service happens at the beginning of each academic year. It brings together volunteers for projects, such as sorting and packing produce and household items for distribution, organizing books for kids, cleaning up graffiti and working hands-on with animals. Volunteers will also help revitalize community gardens, which provide fresh, organic produce to those in need. The event is expected to draw about 400 volunteers. 

“Beginning the school year with a day of service sets a tone of community, collaboration and purpose,” said Pete Oviedo, Director of Community Engagement. “It aligns with the St. Mary’s mission to develop leaders who are committed to service and social justice. Service work encourages students to connect with each other and the community in a meaningful way, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose from the outset.” 

Volunteers will meet at the St. Mary’s University Flex Field at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, for an opening ceremony, which includes breakfast and prayer. From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers will serve at sites including: 

SAISD Book Buddies, San Antonio Independent School District Foundation, 311 N. Frank Luke Drive, Suite 108 — Student volunteers will help organize, clean and sort through books that will be donated to children in SAISD. Students will play a crucial role in ensuring that every child has access to the joy of reading. 
San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 Historic Old Hwy 90 — Students are answering the call to volunteer by working together to sort and pack produce, non-perishable foods, and household items, preparing them for distribution. 
City of San Antonio Graffiti Wipeout, 5455 Glen Ridge Drive — Volunteers will be helping paint over graffiti at the drainage channel. 
St. Stephen’s CARE Center, 2127 S. Zarzamora St. — Volunteers will be restocking shelves, beautifying the site, making sack lunches for clients, sorting donations, and sorting and bagging produce.

Since 1997, 24,547 volunteers have offered more than 66,681 hours to organizations that provide much-needed services throughout the area. Oviedo estimated those volunteer hours would have equated to an economic impact of more than $2 million.