Not even the brutal heat could stop more than 300 USF students from participating in a large community service project on Saturday.

Through the “Charge: Grab Service by the Horns!” program, students have been sent out in teams to about 30 sites across the Tampa Bay area.

One team, comprising of nearly three dozen USF students, worked in Tampa Heights to beautify the area.

Students at the Tampa Heights Community Garden used the day of service as an opportunity to get to know one another.

“I like it because not only are you helping people, but then you meet new people because I didn't know a lot of people before I came here," said freshman Allison Fairbanks.

"It's a good way to get to know people other than just sitting with people in your classes but it's also a way to help out around the community," said freshman Sam Patterson. "You feel like you're doing something.”

Students working in the garden helped restore planters and took care of fruits and veggies at the organic community garden. The students hope the life skills they pick up from the community translate into the classroom.

"Grades are really important," said Fairbanks. "I want to stay focused but also have fun and get involved, for sure get involved and meet new people."

USF is introducing new changes this year. The university’s indoor pool, buses and library will all have a new look.

“I really didn't go to the library in high school but college is going to be a place I'm going to be a lot," said Patterson. "It's a nice warm environment, it's awesome."

So whether the students are digging into the dirt or delving into academics, they're ready to take charge of what the future holds at USF.

Here are just a few of the projects the students took on:

  • Muller Elementary School, Tampa: Gardening, painting stepping stones, other beautification.
  • Victory Ship, Channelside, Tampa: Cleaning out storage cargo bins and hauls.
  • Tampa Heights Civic Association: Painting/staining their new community center; mulching, planting, etc.
  • Tampa Heights Community Garden: Cleaning out plots and helping to build/re-build plots.
  • American Diabetes Association, Tampa: Cleaning out and re-organizing their off-site storage unit.