'Doing for others': Tigers Give Back community service day

'Doing for others': Tigers Give Back community service day'Doing for others': Tigers Give Back community service day

Carnell Williams paints at the Head Start facility on Tigers Give Back day.

AUBURN, Ala. – Six weeks after tornadoes claimed 23 lives, debris still litters yards on Lee County roads where homes used to stand.

Auburn Athletics staffers partnered with Alabama Rural Ministry Wednesday to clear debris at two sites, including the property of a woman in her early 70s who survived the storm.

"The woman and her son were in the home when the tornado struck," said Andrew Baird, volunteer coordinator for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. "She told us this morning, when they came out, a part of their house was across the street and part of it was still in their yard.

"It's been quite a job to recover from it. The sheer amount of debris that's out here and has to be cleared sometimes seems overwhelming. Every little bit helps, and these people greatly appreciate volunteers coming out here and helping out. It's really meaningful to know that people care. This is not a forgotten thing."

When the morning crew finished its shift, an afternoon team that included Auburn's volleyball staff and student-athletes arrived for their turn.

"It feels good to give back to the community that loves and supports Auburn University and Auburn Athletics," head swimming and diving coach Gary Taylor said. "It's extremely humbling and allows us to appreciate the small things. Really happy to be out here with the rest of the staff today and do the best we can to give back to those in need."

Debris removal was one of several projects on the 11th annual Tigers Give Back community service day.

Other athletic department members from every unit worked on a home for Habitat for Humanity, helped with field day for the inclusion ambassadors from Auburn's BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose, painted and volunteered at Head Start, and packed food bags for elementary students in partnership with the Jason Dufner Foundation.

"Part of what we instill is being service-minded," Director of Athletics Allen Greene said. "Tigers Give Back day aligns with our core values of service and family and our desire to positively impact our community.

"Tigers Give Back day also helps our student-athletes understand the importance of doing for others and making someone else's day better."

Those interested in volunteering for debris removal through Alabama Rural Ministry can learn more here: www.arm-al.org

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer