First Step Service Aids G.W. Carver Disaster Relief, Local Non-Profits

This Fall Baylor University led the initiative to serve G.W Carver Middle School after a devastating fire that that burned through the building. At Baylor, Missions & Public Life and New Student Programs spearheaded "Load the Tote," a school supply drive on Baylor's campus from Aug. 16 to Aug 21. The Baylor community was eager to help, and was collectively donated more than 2,800 school supply items, 2,100 cloth masks, 2,300 reusable water bottles, 220 flower pots and seed packs, 600+ sack lunches, as well as $468 in monetary donations.

These efforts were led by Dr. Doriann Beverly, senior coordinator of community service. With Doriann's leadership, Baylor was quick in offering support and raising aid for the middle school students. Load the Tote originally consisted of eight delivery locations around campus to collect donations, but was quickly increased to 16 after the overwhelming amount of donations. This drive also inspired other members of the Baylor Community to contribute personally.

To continue supporting the students and staff of G.W Carver Middle School, students may donate to Transformation Waco’s G.W Carver Disaster Relief Initiative. Transformation Waco is accepting both electronic and mailed gift cards as well as items from the Teachers’ Wishlist dedicated to supplying teacher-specific supplies.

First Step Service took things further as students gathered to prepare approximately 600 sack lunches eight local nonprofit agencies serving those experiencing homelessness.

Thank you to the Baylor community for contributing to such valuable cause as a display of our love for Waco and our neighbors. This effort was made possible by campus partners including Missions & Public Life, New Student Programs, Office of the President, Marketing and Communications, Visit Experience, and External Affairs.

About Baylor Missions & Public Life
The Department of Missions and Public Life strives to shape Baylor's faithful engagement with Waco and the world. To do so we provide opportunities for students to love their neighbors by deepening human connection, cultivating self-discovery, developing a healthy worldview, and equipping servant-leaders.

As part of the Office of Spiritual Life at Baylor University, our efforts seeks to nurture theological depth, spiritual wholeness, and missional living in students, faculty, and staff.