On Saturday, March 5, approximately 330 Armstrong State University students, faculty and staff participated in the university’s semi-annual Treasure Savannah day of service. Each fall and spring semester, members of the Armstrong community volunteer a Saturday morning to give back to the community.

“We began Treasure Savannah in 2010 as a way to thank the city of Savannah for founding Armstrong in 1935,” said Armstrong President Linda M. Bleicken. “Every year we look forward to the opportunity to support our community in a variety of ways.’”

During Treasure Savannah, Armstrong students visit various locations throughout the city where they volunteer with a growing list of organizations. This year, Union Mission, L. Scott Stell Park, Azalealand Nursing Home, Habitat for Humanity, Keep Savannah Beautiful, America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, the West Broad Street YMCA, Hoofs 4 Healing, Armstrong’s campus and Rebecca St. Veteran’s Housing Authority in Hinesville were served by the Armstrong community.

“To lead, you have to learn how to serve,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Georj Lewis to an audience of early-morning volunteers before they departed to locations across Savannah. “Participants can learn from each project and develop important leadership skills.”

One team of Armstrong staff and students sorted food donations and packed 200 emergency food boxes at America’s Second Harvest Food Bank. The assortments will feed up to 250 families across 21 counties.

Robert Smith, Armstrong’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer at the food bank.

“We are part of a broader community,” he explained. “Community service is important for all of us."

Marlayna Garvin, an Armstrong student who participated in Treasure Savannah despite a broken foot, embodied the spirit of the day as she selflessly walked back and forth across the Union Mission warehouse carrying items to be recycled. Together, volunteers removed 25 bags worth of yard debris.

As Treasure Savannah participants boarded buses to leave in the late afternoon, furniture was delivered to Union Mission on behalf of Armstrong professor Dr. Alison Hatch and her Sociology class. Throughout the year, students have been gathering donations to provide seating for the common room in the center’s Grace House.

Treasure Savannah participants displayed “just the right spirit of service,” noted Laura Lane McKinnon, Union Mission’s director of development. "We are grateful for Armstrong's spirit of service."