Bobcat Build to be largest service day in Texas State history

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
March 23, 2010

Nearly 3,900 Texas State students, faculty and staff plan to give back to the San Marcos community through volunteering with Bobcat Build Saturday, March 27. This is a record breaking number of participants in the of the Bobcat Build program.

Bobcat Build offers a unique opportunity for Texas State to give back to the greater San Marcos community. Student organizations and anyone who is a student or employee of Texas State are invited to participate in the university's annual community service day, which starts with a kick-off rally at Bobcat Stadium's east parking lot featuring local San Marcos band Ransom Jack. Volunteers will receive a free breakfast, t-shirt and necessary tools.

"I have seen this program grow in ways I would have never imagined in just a few short years," said Drew Shelton, operations chair for Bobcat Build 2010.

Jobsites include painting homes, yard work, residential outdoor beautification, working with non-profit organizations, trail building and much more. This year’s goal is to raise awareness of environmentally conscious ways to care for our community and to make this year’s Bobcat Build the most sustainable ever. To meet this goal, students have come up with creative and useful ways to reduce, reuse and recycle such as using old newspapers and squeegees instead of paper towels for cleaning windows, recycling all of the waste at the kick-off event (including composting food waste into the university’s new project, “Bobcat Blend”) and reusing and printing on the back of recycled paper.

"It has always been an amazing program, but making it a ‘Green’ event ensures that it will be the best Bobcat Build ever,” said staff advisor Kelly Stone.

Sponsors include the Non-Traditional Students Organization, LBJ Student Center, Vice President for Student Affairs Office, Interfraternity Council, Associated Student Government and Texas Disposal Systems. Local businesses are encouraged to help support Bobcat Build by donating food and drinks, tools, supplies and other items.

Since its conception in the spring of 2003, Bobcat Build has grown from 700 students participating at 40 locations, to nearly 3,900 students at 170 jobsites expected this year.

For more information about Bobcat Build, visit www.bobcatbuild.txstate.edu, or call the Bobcat Build office at (512)245-4245.