Several changes have been made this year to LEAPS, an annual campus event that sends teams of 15 to 25 people to over 40 service sites around Fort Worth, said Director of LEAPS Sebastian Moleski.The changes “will get more students engaged in giving back to the community,” Moleski said.

Instead of only visiting service sites, such as YMCAs, retirement centers and children’s homes, Moleski said, teams will also go to private residencies in low-income neighborhoods.

Team leaders have more responsibility this year, said Cleda Wang who is one of the team leaders. They must plan a social event for their team before LEAPS activities begin.

“This way everyone can get to know each other before, so no one will be nervous the day of,” Wang said.

Also, team leaders have to call the site beforehand to get the details of their project, she said.

A party will be held after teams return from their service projects, instead of the day before, Public Relations co-chair Christina Holtzen said. The gathering will feature free food and drinks, along with entertainment by Green River Ordinance, she said.

“People can mingle and relax after their day of service,” Holtzen said.

The program will also include fundraising for Hurricane Katrina relief, Holtzen said.

Wang said the changes will unite TCU with the community.

“By going to individual homes, we will bring more of a name to TCU,” Wang said. “At the after party when everyone announces how much they’ve allocated for the Hurricane Katrina relief fund it will bring people together. It’s TCU at its greatest.”

So far, about 1,000 students have registered for LEAPS, which stands for Leaders Encouraging All People to Serve, Moleski said. Individual applications are still being accepted, and registration is only available online at www.leaps.tcu.edu, though walk-ups the day of are welcome, he said. The deadline for team registration was Sept. 12.

Holtzen said LEAPS is a good way to give back to the community.

“When people leave high school, they sometimes lose site of getting involved with the community,” Holtzen said. “But in college, you are part of an even bigger community, and you have a chance to make an even bigger impact.”

LEAPS is also a great opportunity to meet new people, Wang said.

“Last year I participated with my connections group,” Wang said. “It really brought our group together.”

All participants are to check in at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Bus transportation to the sites will be provided, Wang said.