MerServe

About Us

MerServe is the student-run service leadership board for the Macon undergraduate campus of Mercer University.

MerServe plans, coordinates, and implements a varitety of service programs and events, including Service Saturdays, Be a Good NeighBear, Lights on Afterschool, and Spring Break for Service. For more information on upcoming events, make sure to check out our instagram and BearPulse.

Want to Join?

At this time, applicaitons for MerServe board positions have ended. Keep a look out on our Instagram and Bear Blurbs/WAM on information for furture applications.

Service Squad is the membership branch of MerServe where students can apply and interview at the start of each academic year. Members will meet monthly for anyone who wants to attend. Service Squad members serve as site leaders for volunteer opportunities and can aid in the planning future events for students, members will gain skills and get an inside look of what MerServe is like!

History

MerServe was founded in the summer of 2015 by a group of students with a passion for service and leadership. Upon its creation, MerServe had two goals: provide opportunities for student leadership in the service field and give students opportunities to serve and connect with the Macon-Bibb and larger communities.

Days of Service & Service Saturday

Coordinated by MerServe, Be a Good NeighBear is a day of service that brings students, faculty, staff and their families together with local outreach organizations. Be a Good NeighBear 2025 saw over 500 students come out to volunteer with over 20 different community partners in the Macon-Bibb area. In 2026 we will celebrate the 20th Be a Good NeighBear event is set for Saturday, September 26th.

In spring 2026, Mercer and MerServe hosted the inagural campus-wide day of service Spring into Service, across Mercer's campuses in Macon, Atlanta, Columbus, and Savannah. More than 350 students, faculty, and staff participated in service projects to give back to our communities across the state of Georgia. Spring into Service 2027 will take place on Saturday, March 20th.

Service Saturdays are MerServe's monthly service opportunities, during which we partner with 3-5 community organizations to provide students with meaningful ways to engage in service throughout the year. For more informaiton about upcoming Service Saturdays, visit the MerServe page or BearPulse.

Fall Break for Service and Spring Break for Service

Fall Break for Service is a local alternative fall break program that launched in 2024 and is free for Mercer students to participate in. The program provides students who remain on campus during fall break with the opportunity to engage more deeply with the Macon community through service experiences, community engagement, and educational opportunties.

Spring Break for Service is a local alternative spring break program that began in 2012 and is free for Mercer students to participate in. Spring Break for Service is an immersive experience that aims to expose students to the needs of the Macon area. Students participating in Spring Break for Service are exposed to a wide variety of organizations, including those that focus on hunger and homelessness, youth engagement, and community development.