Middle Tennessee Bobcats pay it forward at Hands On Nashville Day

For the second consecutive year, members of Ohio University’s Middle Tennessee alumni chapter joined their neighbors in Hands On Nashville Day, a day of service during which projects were completed at 15 Metro Nashville Public Schools. Photo courtesy of Matt Houser

Their T-shirts say it all. “Bobcats pay it forward.”

Ohio University’s Middle Tennessee (Nashville) Chapter is only a mere three years old, but what it lacks in history, it’s more than made up for in legacy, drawing a growing number of Bobcats together for camaraderie as well as community service.

In September, members of the alumni chapter joined more than 1,000 volunteers who participated in Hands On Nashville Day, a day of service in which these caring citizens completed projects at 15 Metro Nashville Public Schools. This marked the second consecutive year the Middle Tennessee Chapter participated in the event, during which they planted trees and completed other projects on the grounds of a local middle school.

“You’re partnered with other volunteers, so there’s lot of opportunities to talk about who you are and where you’re from,” Matt Houser, BSC ’08, president of the Middle Tennessee Chapter, said of Hands On Nashville Day. “You all work collectively as a team to do good around the city. … For us, we can make a little impact, or we can be part of a bigger impact.”

It was the chapter’s desire to have a bigger impact while also connecting with the greater community that led the Middle Tennessee alumni chapter to Hands On Nashville Day and that fuels its members’ commitment to service.

“I think community service is an amazing way to give back to our local community and also build camaraderie for our local Bobcats,” said Courtney Owen, BSJ ’08, treasurer of the Middle Tennessee Chapter. “It provides a social opportunity in which everyone has a common purpose, so whether you’re a first-time attendee or a long-standing chapter member, everyone is on the same page.”

In addition to Hands On Nashville Day, the Middle Tennessee Chapter’s community service efforts include partnering with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, where earlier this year Bobcats packed and sorted food donations. Photo courtesy of Matt Houser

According to Houser, the chapter strives to plan two to three community service events per year. Earlier this year, the group partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, packing and sorting food donations.

“We try to partner with local organizations doing great work for our Middle Tennessee community to maximize our impact,” Owen said, adding that the group would like to pursue a “Paws for Paws” event in the future to accommodate chapter members’ interest in lending a hand to “our furry friends.”

Houser noted that in addition to the chapter’s service-focused events, these OHIO alumni also try to incorporate service into their more casual events. On Nov. 7, the chapter will be hosting a watch party for the OHIO versus Miami “Battle of the Bricks” football game. Those attending that event are being asked to bring canned goods and other nonperishable items to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, kicking off the season of giving ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

For Houser and Owen, everything the chapter does comes down to service.

“Our goal is to make sure we’re serving our Middle Tennessee Bobcats well by putting on events that they want to come to and giving them an opportunity to stay connected with Ohio University and meet some awesome people along the way,” Owen said.

Whether casual or service-based, all of the chapter’s events are an opportunity for members to form new friendships while also recognizing community needs. Houser said the more Bobcats he can bring together through the chapter, the better.

“I have a motto I always say to members of the board: If we have one new person that comes to an event, I say that event is a success,” he said.