“Project Impact is a day where we take time to serve others,” said Canain Ming, a junior Union English Education student and coordinator for Project Impact 2015 and 2016. “Our dream is for every student to have an opportunity to serve someone else. Project Impact is the catalyst and we hope to return to these organizations and continue to serve all year long.”

Project Impact began as Project BRUSH—Beautifying Residences Using Student Help—in 1981. The original organizers set out to paint 100 homes. Now students and employees take a day off from school each year to serve the organizations who serve Lincoln all year.

Thirty six years later, Project Impact is the longest running collegiate community service day in the country and an estimated 21,500 students and employees have volunteered nearly 130,000 hours of dedicated service to Lincoln.

“Union’s spirit of service is contagious,” Ming said. “Everyone here is so willing. People are excited to come out and make sure the different projects get completed.” A large quilt will be displayed in the Everett Dick Administration Building comprised of t-shirts from previous Project Impact events.

“Project Impact is what Union College is known for in Lincoln Nebraska,” Ming said. “Many organizations look forward to this day and for 35 years Union College has not disappointed.” Approximately 800 students aqnd employees—about 80 precent of campus—will serve more than 70 sites, including Mad Dads, El Centro De Las Americas, Food Bank of Lincoln, Goodwill, and Lincoln Public Schools on Thursday, September 8.

Volunteers should meet under the clock tower at 3800 S. 48th Street before 8:00 a.m. to find a group. Breakfast and lunch will both be provided. Please be on time so you can be a part of the group picture and receive a special gift.

By Elizabeth Bearden, student writer