Bama Buddies is partnering with Xpress Night this Thursday, Dec. 6 to promote campus unity through service during the holiday season.

Bama Buddies has been working with student groups on campus for the last four years and is the official service project for the SOURCE. By hosting “stuffing events,” students can buy and personalize stuffed animals that will be donated to children during the holidays.

David Phelps, a junior majoring in civil engineering and the director of organizational leadership for the SOURCE, said Xpress Night is a great opportunity to bring together a diverse mixture of students to participate in the service project.

“Our collaborative event this Thursday will be a wonderfully exciting and truly unique opportunity for students to enjoy live music while brightening a child’s holiday season,” Phelps said.

In addition to partnering with Xpress Night, Bama Buddies has teamed up with student organizations like the SGA Senate, Freshman Forum and Lambda Sigma Honor Society.

The cost to buy and personalize a stuffed animal is $8. There are multiple animals students can choose from including a tabby cat, panda, penguin and frog. If a student cannot attend a partnered event, such as Xpress Night, organizations can sponsor independent builds for $10 per animal.

Xpress Night is an open mic night hosted once a month at the Starbucks in the Ferguson Center. Students can perform a variety of acts including singing, rapping or poetry reading.

Bret Buckler, a junior majoring in chemical engineering and the director of Xpress Night, said students are encouraged to participate in Thursday’s collaboration with Bama Buddies.

“We’ve decided to partner up this December as a way to co-promote and hopefully maximize student involvement,” Buckler said.

Although Xpress Night is a night of performing, Buckler said students should not shy away.

“We strive to provide a relaxed atmosphere where artists of all styles can open up and be themselves,” Buckler said, “[Xpress Night] is designed as a creative outlet for anyone who wants to show off their talents, collaborate with other performers, or just hang out and have a good time.”

Kirkland Back, a junior majoring in English, is the director of awareness for the Honors College Assembly. Her role is to facilitate Xpress Night as well as other events hosted by the Honors College.

“Xpress Night is a free and open space for students to gather and share in the community of art,” Back said. “Bama Buddies and Xpress Night have decided to come together to create a one-time event that will not only help students, but the community as well.”

This Thursday will be the last opportunity for individuals to participate in Bama Buddies. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Ferguson Starbucks. Xpress Night is free, and each animal provided by Bama Buddies is $8.

Student groups can register to host a stuffing event at thesource.ua.edu/bama-buddies. To submit a register to perform in Xpress Night, email [email protected].