The 19th annual Maryville Reaches Out is now in the books, marking another great day to be a Maryville Saint. With 1,230 Saints participating, 85 community partners served and 4,671 hours of service contributed, this year’s MRO reaffirmed what it’s always been about: showing up for St. Louis, together. 

But numbers only tell a small part of the story. Behind every hour logged was a student learning something they wouldn’t have learned in a classroom, working next to someone they might otherwise never have met. That’s what MRO has always been: not one group helping another, but people figuring things out side by side. 

This year’s event spanned 85 projects across the city, from north to south. And honestly, every single one was a reminder that service isn’t something we do to a community — it’s something we get to do with one. Our community partners didn’t just benefit from a day of service. They’re the ones doing this work every day, all year — long before MRO shows up and long after it leaves. They shared their stories and passions and invited our students to serve alongside them. 

Behind The Scenes

Every MRO depends on people working out of sight — and this year, that meant two student coordinators who spent months turning MRO into 85 different projects across the city. Nonny Muthoni and James White handled everything from partner outreach to logistics to all the problem-solving that comes with pulling off something this size. Here’s what the day meant to them. 

“I loved seeing our campus give back with such humble dedication,” White said. “The world needs more people with a heart for service, and MRO proved that we aren’t just Saints by title, but by our joyful passion to help others.” 

“I genuinely had no idea how much work went into MRO until I was behind the scenes of it,” Muthoni said. “As a student, you see one day of service, but behind that one day are months of conversations, planning, problem-solving, and people working together to make it happen. But I also got to work with so many different community organizations and learn about the work they do every day. It made me realize just how many different ways there are to serve and help people, and how much good can come from bringing people together to do that. Being part of it completely changed the way I see MRO.” 

Zoomed in: Missouri House Rabbit Rescue 

One of this year’s projects took Saints to Missouri House Rabbit Rescue, where volunteers pitched in on projects around the shelter. 

“We’ve had a wonderful experience with the students in MRO helping at our shelter,” said Joy Gioia, president of Missouri House Rabbit Rescue. “We love interacting with them and truly appreciate the help they have provided. Their energy and enthusiasm were fantastic as they pitched in to help with every project and work item requested of them. Thank you, MRO, for allowing us to be part of your community service day.” 

For Raegan Hooker, one of the Saints who spent the day there, the experience left a mark. “Getting to experience the Missouri Rabbit Rescue Center was an amazing experience,” Hooker said. “The bunnies are so well taken care of, and they even have dedicated exercise time. Being able to make a difference for them was very therapeutic, and I plan on volunteering again soon.” 

The Bigger Picture 

MRO has always been Maryville’s biggest day of service, and this year it found a home under something bigger. The Saints Service Collective, or SSC, launched this year, built on feedback from students, faculty, staff and community partners who made one thing clear: a single day wasn’t enough. People wanted more chances to show up throughout the year, not just once. 

Think of MRO as one piece of a bigger picture now — the SSC is the umbrella that holds it, along with the ongoing partnerships between Maryville and the organizations doing this work year-round. MRO gives students a taste of what’s possible. The SSC ensures it doesn’t stop when the day ends. 

If MRO reminded you why service matters, the SSC is how you can keep going. Reach out at saintsservice@maryville.edu — we’d love to have you.  

Thank You 

MRO takes a lot of people putting in a lot of work. Thank you to Nonny Muthoni and James White, our student coordinators, who spent months turning MRO into what it became this year. Thank you to Tatum Ahring, director of Campus and Community Impact, for steering this whole thing with steady hands. Thank you to Johanna Elkana Hale, assistant director for Community Engagement and Wellbeing, and Anna McCarty, director of Community Engagement and Wellbeing, for the work that so often goes unseen but never goes unfelt. Thank you to Oliver Tacto, dean of wellness, for backing this work every step of the way. And finally, we couldn’t do this without community partners who believe in this work alongside us. We’re especially grateful to St. Luke’s and Vantage Credit Union for their support in helping make MRO 2026 possible.  

To everyone who showed up, organized, planned and trusted us with their time — thank you. MRO is only as good as the people who make it happen, and this year, that was all of you.  

We can’t wait for the next one. Go Saints!