Nichole Ball steps on a old weed and pulls it from the ground, making a grave site at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian a little cleaner.

Ball was one of many students, staff and faculty participating in Meridian Community College’s annual College Cares on Tuesday, volunteering at various places in the city.   

Around 1,500 students went to more 100 locations, including Love & Peas Garden, the Meridian Freedom Project and Merrehope and others. Some spent the day reading to kids at schools, while others cleaned around houses and did yard work. 

Volunteering isn’t new to Ball, a freshman in MCC’s physical therapy program. She also helps out in a medical clinic in her hometown of Louisville once a mouth.

“I think it’s really cool that Meridian gives back,” said Ball.

She said the day allowed her to learn more about her classmates and her teacher. She was surprised when she found out many of her classmates have a similar interest in volunteering.

“Volunteering is not about you, but it’s about the community,” she said. 

Joshlyn Johnson, a second year student in the college’s physical therapy program, participated in College Cares last year, and enjoyed the experience.

“If you put in hard work, you can help someone,” said Johnson.

Tommy Winston, the program director for the physical therapy program, said he’d like to do more volunteering throughout the year. 

“Service in the public center should never end,” said Winston.

At the historic Merrehope home, students mopped floors, cleaned silverware and cleared shrubs near the house. Anna Grace Banks, a student in the honors program at MCC, volunteered to help because she had never been to the home before. 

Cathy Parker, co-director of the Phil Hardin Foundation Honors College, said students have a responsibility to be stewards of the community, and College Cares gives them a chance to give back to the community while learning about it. 

“They really embrace the idea of making a difference,” said Parker.

Looking ahead, Ball hopes to return to volunteer at Magnolia Cemetery to help keep it clean.

“A cemetery is good place to start to volunteer,” she said.