Connecting with the community


The Rollins-teer Day tradition continues

2015 Rollin-teer doing lawncare

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community engagement starts on day one at rollins

Each year, as part of the school’s fall orientation, students, faculty, and staff fan out across the city, lending their time and their talents to help local organizations that focus on poverty, homelessness, disease prevention, and environmental health.

Since Rollins-teer Day started in 2006, more than 5,500 Rollins students have worked with more than 60 area organizations, including the Atlanta Hospitality House, Community Farmer’s Market and Learning Garden, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, International Women’s House, Jerusalem House, MedShare International, Open Hand, and the Park Pride Nature Preserve. Students provide physical labor in improving parks, grounds, and facilities, packaging and distributing food, providing assistance to refugee families and victims of domestic violence, and supporting those in drug rehabilitation and families affected by AIDS and chronic medical conditions.

Below is a look at Rollins-teer Day activities through the years.

2010 Three students in yellow Rollin-teer T-shirts smiling

For many, Rollins-teer Day serves as an introduction to Atlanta and to the school's mission of community service. Here 2010 Rollins-teers are ready to get to work.

For many, Rollins-teer Day serves as an introduction to Atlanta and to the school's mission of community service. Here 2010 Rollins-teers are ready to get to work.

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Rollinteers 2016
A large group of students in blue Rollins-teer T-shirts wave at the camer

A group of 2017 Rollins-teers pose at MedShare, where they sorted medical supplies and equipment. MedShare collects and delivers surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world.

Students in green T-shirts paint a home.

2007 Rollins-teers paint homes for senior citizens. Volunteers work hard and make meaningful memories in the field.

Rollin-teers in purple T-shirts prep packaging

Aside from engaging with the community, Rollins-teer Day is the first opportunity many students have to form friendships with members of their class. Pictured here are 2012 Rollins-teers.

A young woman in a blue T-shirt organizes children's books

A volunteer sorts children's books at the Clarkston Community Center in 2013. Some students later find practicum opportunities or future employment at the organizations they volunteered with on Rollins-teer Day.

A group of voluneers in hair nets and aprons get ready to prepare food

2018 Rollins-teers lend a meal-prep hand at Project Open Hand. The nonprofit prepares, packs, and delivers over 6,000 healthy meals each day throughout metro-Atlanta for those who might otherwise go without.

Two young men in red Rollins-teer shirts smile at camera

2014 Rollins-teers give a thumbs-up to their volunteer experience. The general atmosphere on Rollins-teer Day is one of friendship, positivity, and fun.

A Rollin-teer in a yellow T-shirt pushes a wheel barrel

In 2010, Rollins-teers break a sweat at Jerusalem House. The nonprofit provides permanent supportive housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

A group of volunteers in green T-shirts push wheel chairs

2018 Rollins-teers help out at Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. FODAC provides free or low-cost refurbished equipment and services for adults and children with disabilities.

2017 Rollin-teer pushing tire

Tasks during Rollins-teer day vary from site to site and can include everything from gardening and meal prep to home repair. Here 2017 Rollin-teers clear and clean a site.

Three volunteers in orange T-shirts pose behind a frame that reads "We are the face of public health"

Rollins-teers in 2016 pose with a hand-made frame.

A volunteer in a green T-shirt plays with a toddler in a day care.

Rollins volunteers make a tangible difference in the greater Atlanta community. Pictured here is a 2007 Rollins-teer

A group of 2017 Rollins-teers pose at MedShare, where they sorted medical supplies and equipment. MedShare collects and delivers surplus medical supplies and equipment to communities in need around the world.

2007 Rollins-teers paint homes for senior citizens. Volunteers work hard and make meaningful memories in the field.

Aside from engaging with the community, Rollins-teer Day is the first opportunity many students have to form friendships with members of their class. Pictured here are 2012 Rollins-teers.

A volunteer sorts children's books at the Clarkston Community Center in 2013. Some students later find practicum opportunities or future employment at the organizations they volunteered with on Rollins-teer Day.

2018 Rollins-teers lend a meal-prep hand at Project Open Hand. The nonprofit prepares, packs, and delivers over 6,000 healthy meals each day throughout metro-Atlanta for those who might otherwise go without.

2014 Rollins-teers give a thumbs-up to their volunteer experience. The general atmosphere on Rollins-teer Day is one of friendship, positivity, and fun.

In 2010, Rollins-teers break a sweat at Jerusalem House. The nonprofit provides permanent supportive housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

2018 Rollins-teers help out at Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. FODAC provides free or low-cost refurbished equipment and services for adults and children with disabilities.

Tasks during Rollins-teer day vary from site to site and can include everything from gardening and meal prep to home repair. Here 2017 Rollin-teers clear and clean a site.

Rollins-teers in 2016 pose with a hand-made frame.

Rollins volunteers make a tangible difference in the greater Atlanta community. Pictured here is a 2007 Rollins-teer

Want to know more?

Please visit Rollins Magazine, Rollins School of Public Health,

Emory News Center, and Emory University.

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