Kennesaw State Universitystudents, faculty, staff and alumni spread across the area Saturday for the annual KSU Day of Service. Almost 200 people volunteered at nine work sites, contributing approximately 600 hours of work.

Volunteers worked at social service organizations, animal adoption facilities, participated in community cleanups and more. Cards of appreciation to emergency first responders were written by one group as part of the comprehensive effort to give back to the community, which was first launched in 2014.

“The KSU Day of Service is designed as an opportunity to say thanks to our local community that has supported the University in many important ways throughout its history. We were happy to bring Day of Service back for its seventh year after having to cancel in 2020 because of the pandemic,” said Kimberly Henghold, assistant director of community engagement.

Zaria Ford, a Kennesaw State senior from Millen, participated in Day of Service for the first time Saturday, serving as an activity team lead.

“I contributed to the Day of Service card writing activity to write and decorate cards for the frontline healthcare workers who’ve helped us all throughout this pandemic,” Ford said. “I aspire to be a healthcare worker when I graduate, and their ability to continue to work during an international crisis has motivated me even more to follow my dreams of becoming a doctor one day.”

Area organizations benefiting from the work of KSU Day of Service volunteers included:

Second Wind Dreams — dementia care

• Keep North Fulton Beautiful — conservation

• Helping Mamas — infant supplies

• Heritage of Brookstone ALF — assisted living

• SafePath Children's Advocacy Center — abuse prevention

• McKenna Farms Therapy Services — equine therapy for children

• Good Mews — cat adoption services

• Cobb County Water System — volunteers marked storm drains

Because of the ongoing pandemic, volunteers this year did not gather on campus as usual for a kickoff event before going to their work sites. While at their volunteering locations, they wore masks and followed social distancing guidelines.