Campus Life

Texas A&M BUILD Looks To Continue Fall Success

The student organization constructed four Texas Aggie Medical Clinics and two Texas Aggie Educational Units out of shipping containers during the fall 2020 semester
By Micah Zimmerer, BUILD 2021 March 15, 2021

students in orange construction vests and face coverings give the gig 'em
Texas A&M students have been able to safely safely volunteer with BUILD throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Courtesy of BUILD

During the fall 2020 semester, BUILD members at Texas A&M University converted six shipping containers into four Texas Aggie Medical Clinics (TAMCs) and two Texas Aggie Educational Units (TAEUs).

The student-led organization with the help of fellow Aggies logged more than 9,000 volunteer hours. BUILD collaborated with The REACH Project, which will receive a medical clinic and two of the educational units that will be used to provide medical and educational services to Texas A&M’s essential service employees in the Bryan-College Station area

The TAEUs will be used to provide different educational needs for the surrounding community where the unit resides. Some of these needs include providing a space for the community to work and teaching basic skills.

“This past year, BUILD has been able to accomplish so much as an organization,” said Robin Bowden, chief executive officer, BUILD 2021. “We truly appreciate the commitment we have seen from the Texas A&M community, including every student and faculty volunteer who came out to help us construct the six containers this past semester. Without this help, we would not be able to complete such a large-scale project every year. We are excited for the bright future ahead.”

The remaining three TAMCs will be deployed in Texas, Nigeria and Mali, where they will provide medical services to people in need. In continuation of BUILD’s Fallen Aggie Hero Project, four of the TAMCs and one TAEU were dedicated in honor of the following late Aggie veterans: Capt. Todd Christmas ’00, Lt. Col. Mark Stratton ’91, Capt. Ernesto Blanco ’98, Sgt. Graham Woody ’08, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Staats ’01.

“In 2020, we received an outpouring of support from the Texas A&M community, local College Station businesses and donors,” said Micah Zimmerer, chief financial officer of BUILD 2021.

“This support has allowed BUILD to collaborate with other organizations that align with our mission such as The REACH Project that supports Aggie workers. We are looking forward to all of the possibilities that 2021 will bring.” 

BUILD continued its initiative in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by following university, local and state guidelines, implementing temperature checks, requiring face coverings. Tool disinfection, physical distancing and site capacity limits were also implemented. In doing so, there were no outbreaks on site during the 10-week construction project.

Currently, BUILD members are converting a 20-foot shipping container into a multipurpose building that will be used by ENDEAVR, a Texas A&M-sponsored organization. ENDEAVR is a nonprofit organization founded on smart-city education that seeks to empower young people to find effective solutions for challenges faced by underprivileged communities.

BUILD has the opportunity to participate in Texas A&M’s Spirit of Giving, where recognized student organizations raise money to support upcoming projects. Contributions will fund the purchase of tools, transportation of clinics, and ultimately the pursuit of BUILD’s mission. To donate, visit Texas A&M Spirit of Giving.

Media contacts:

  • Robin Bowden, buildceo@aggienetwork.com
  • Micah Zimmerer, buildcfo@aggienetwork.com

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