Yard work doesn't usually excite the average college student, unless they're like Kalista Glasgow and Ryan Chambers. They're two of more than 2,400 student volunteers gearing up for this Saturday's Bobcat Build day.
"We'll be painting over graffiti, painting people's houses, helping them out in their garden, doing spring cleaning and various things that people might have trouble doing," Chambers said.
Chambers said students and other community volunteers will spend the day tackling 184 community projects at local businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, green spaces and homes in San Marcos.
"What we are trying to do is put a face on the university and say thank you to San Marcos for putting up with everything," Chambers said.
Albert Garcia with the Hays County Food Bank said Bobcat Build is a win-win event. His shelves get cleaned and students walk away with a better understanding of the community they live in.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
Bobcat Build
The Texas State community project is modeled after Texas A&M's 'The Big Event.'
 
| | |
| | | | | |
|
"It's an awakening to them. They're really amazed about the amount of people that we feed and the way that the people are and they really appreciate what's being done," he said.
Glasgow organizes and participates in the event every year. She says the lessons learned and smiling faces are worth getting up early.
"I always get that warm fuzzy feeling inside," she said.
Since its inception in 2003, the number of Bobcat Build volunteers has grown from 700 to 2,400. Bobcat Build was inspired by Texas A&M's "The Big Event." It has been an Aggie tradition for several decades. Glasgow hopes Bobcat Build becomes a Bobcat tradition too.
Volunteer registration is over, but anyone interested will not be turned away. Registration is 8 a.m. on Saturday at Bobcat Village Commuter Parking lot off Aquarena Springs Drive. For more information call Bobcat Build at (512) 245-9645.
