More than 400 Greek life students from the University of Texas spend their Saturday giving back, working to beautify elementary school campuses in the Dove Springs neighborhood in southeast Austin.
“It’s incredibly gratifying,” Jack Tanner, UT Austin junior and Texas Interfraternity Council president, said.
“Our organizations were founded on the basis of service,” Zachary Siegel, UT Austin senior and Texas IFC vice president, said.
“The ability to see so many students out here caring about the community and putting in the work so they can improve the lives of others,” Tanner said, “has truly been a blessing, and it’s just been so great.”
UT’s first ever “Greek Day of Service” brought together fraternity and sorority members from different groups across the university.
“Coming together fromall sorts of different backgrounds, communities for a great cause to serve the Dove Springs neighborhood, and really give such a great opportunity to the thousands of students that attend these campuses,” Siegel said.
The students fanned out across three Austin ISD schools, revitalizing the campuses of Widen. Langford and Rodriguez Elementary Schools by painting murals, doing yard work and more.
Widen principal Benito Fazbanda says he cannot wait for his students to see the difference.
“It’s for the kids,” he said. “I’m super excited. I’m super eager to see their faces on Monday morning. This is their home away from home, so I want to make it as special as possible.”
“It really is a dream come true for our community,” Fazbanda said.
