St. Mary’s University kicks off 10,000 hours of community service in honor of Pope Leo XIV

Continuing the Heritage event on Aug. 22 to bring 500 students to serve local nonprofits

On Saturday, Aug. 22, St. Mary’s University students, faculty, staff and alumni will spread out across San Antonio for the annual Continuing the Heritage Day of Service. This year’s event carries special significance as the University has pledged to log 10,000 volunteer hours during the 2026-2027 academic year in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

“In honor of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, this year we are committing to serve 10,000 hours of service in our community, a gift of our time, hands and heart,” said St. Mary’s President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., who joined a group of presidents from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities for life-changing opportunity to visit with the pope in Rome in June. “As a Marianist University, service is our mission. Every hour our volunteers give reflects the faith, strength and excellence that make Rattlers who we are.”

The Continuing the Heritage Day of Service happens at the beginning of each academic year. It brings together volunteers for projects, such as building beds for children, stocking food pantries, preparing homes for those experiencing homelessness and transitioning into more stable housing, and beautifying community centers’ campuses. The event is expected to draw more than 500 volunteers.

“Continuing the Heritage is a powerful reminder of what can happen when we come together for a shared purpose,” said Pete Oviedo, Director of Community Engagement. “This year, our 10,000-hour commitment represents the thousands of moments when a St. Mary’s student, faculty or staff member chooses to show up, lend a hand and make a difference. We are excited not only to reach this goal, but to see the people, communities and lives transformed along the way. This is what it means to put our mission into action.”

Volunteers will check in at the St. Mary’s University Flex Field at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, for an opening ceremony, which includes breakfast and prayer.

From 9 a.m. until noon, volunteers will serve at sites including:

Towne Twin Village, 4711 Dietrich Road — Student Volunteers will join together to support Towne Twin Village, a permanent supportive housing community that provides safe, stable housing and supportive services for older adults experiencing chronic homelessness in San Antonio. Activities include beautifying the garden, preparing the multipurpose building for a new move-in, and assisting with a community pancake breakfast. These efforts will contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for residents.

Family Service-Presa Community Center, 3721 S. Presa St. — Volunteers will support Family Service in creating a welcoming space for individuals and families who rely on the organization’s resources and services. Through campus beautification and hands-on projects, volunteers will help strengthen the center’s ability to serve the community and provide a supportive environment for those who need it most.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 10616 Sentinel St. — St. Mary’s President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., the Rattler Baseball team and other volunteers will work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build and deliver beds to children in need, ensuring they have a safe and comfortable place to sleep at night.

St. Stephen’s CARE Center, 2127 S. Zarzamora St. — Volunteers will be restocking shelves, beautifying the site, making sack lunches for clients, sorting donations, and sorting and bagging produce.

Since 1997, almost 26,000 Continuing the Heritage volunteers have offered more than 69,441 hours to organizations that provide much-needed services throughout the area. Oviedo estimated those volunteer hours would have equated to an economic impact of more than $2 million.