UT Project 2009 Showed a Little Love

Valentine’s Day was a special anniversary, not only for couples, but for the UT Project.  In 1999 UT students partnered with Keep Austin Beautiful to create a one day event where 1,000 UT students could complete a sizable service project in the Rosewood Housing Complex in East Austin.  The event was such an overwhelming success that a tradition was born and every year since then this event has united UT volunteers  in a spirit of service to assist a local Austin neighborhood in need.

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This year the Project returned to its roots and dedicated not one but two days of service to the Rosewood area in East Austin.  On Sunday, volunteers were also treated to guest appearances and speeches by Mayor Will Wynn, Matthew McConaughey, and 42nd President of the United States - Bill Clinton.  

This enormous event would not have been possible without support and leadership from some outstanding groups including:

• Parks and Recreation Department
• Downtown Austin Community Court
• Solid Waste Services
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Austin Police Department
• Central East Austin Weed & Seed Program
• Austin Fire Department
• Foster Neighborhood Association
• Chestnut Neighborhood Association
• Rosewood Neighborhood Association
• Casa Marianella
• PODER
• Citizen Schools/Blackland Learning Center         
• Garza High School

Fantastic Results

• 850 volunteers on Saturday, 450 volunteers on Sunday
• 35 sites with projects
• 370 trees planted
• 6+ TONS of trash removed

Projects were made possible thanks to generous donors:

• The Home Depot
• University Federal Credit Union
• Texas Tool Traders
• Barton Springs Nursery
• Chipotle
• Cuatro’s
• Domino’s Pizza
• Callahan’s General Store
• The Great Outdoors Garden Center
• Smoothie King
• Omega Delta Phi