by Jessica Frison
Daily Lobo
This month's record rainfall wasn't the only storm that came to Albuquerque.
Volunteers for Spring Storm gathered at University Stadium on Saturday morning for ASUNM's yearly community service event.
The Community Experience, an ASUNM executive agency, organizes the event that has been growing in volunteer numbers since its inception three years ago.
Director of Community Experience Thomas Shawl said 900 people signed up for the event - a growing figure compared to last year's 800 registered volunteers.
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Students could sign up with a group or by themselves.
UNM students, staff and faculty reported at 9 a.m. for check-in, breakfast and assignments. Welcoming and keynote addresses were made, and then volunteers were off to places like Roadrunner Food Bank, the Women's Community Center, City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation, Casa Esperanza and the Whittier Community Center.
Participants were provided with sack lunches before going on location with project leaders.
UNM senior Jovan Nichols said her employer at the SUB suggested she form a team for the event.
"It's a huge movement," Nichols said. "Because of the large number of students participating, I think we'll see a measurable difference. Had there been one or two of us, I'm not sure the difference would have been noticed."
Her team was assigned to Albuquerque's Community Center.
With 78 organizations and departments involved, there were many types of needed services. On-site activities included painting, landscaping, trash pickup, maintenance work and visiting with individuals, Shawl said.
The event is now implanted within some of the community's outreach programs. Coordinators said they are confident about its future - especially since the creation of an ASUNM standing committee.
"It brings a group of volunteers that are useful and eager to volunteer their time to help those that may not be as fortunate as others," Shawl said.
Spring is a season of growth and blossoming - an opportune time to help "spread the seeds of service and refresh and revitalize our community," said Dathan Weems, founder of Spring Storm who spoke at the event.
"If you remember how much fun you had today, you will come back to provide more service to our beautiful city," Weems said.
Joy Junction, a shelter for homeless women and families, also welcomed spring stormers.
"We're always very glad to have students coming from UNM," Executive Director Jeremy Reynalds said.
He said he hopes the shelter will continue to receive help from the community and students in the future.
"We don't get any funding at Joy Junction," Reynalds said. "We exist upon the kindness of the community and obviously students are a big part of our community so we're very grateful for all the help that students give."
