Some people collect baseball cards or stamps, but Saturday, Aug. 24 Liz Ball collected stories.
Ball, junior psychology, was at Toomer's Corner collecting stories from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday.
The story collection was for International Story Day, an event promoted by The Strangers Project. The Stranger Project is a collection of handwritten, anonymous stories meant to emphasize human connection.
"All I want to do is collect some stories," Ball said.
Ultimately, Ball collected more than 30 anonymous stories from strangers, although the initial going was slow.
"It's not a very busy day," Ball said. "We're not a big party, but I think we're doing pretty well."
The original Strangers Project was New York-based, and Ball said an average day could produce 40-80 stories.
"Auburn is not New York," Ball said. "But I think we're doing very well."
The stories Ball collected will ultimately be uploaded to StoriesOfAuburn.Tumblr.com and be available to the public.
One of the stories collected came courtesy of Vicki Hoehn, sophomore pre-med.
Hoehn heard about the event through Tumblr, and she decided she had a story to share.
Hoehn also said that she felt motivated to contribute a story because she runs the Tumblr 100 Strangers of Auburn, another project that aims to make strangers less strange.
She was not specific about her story's content, but Hoehn did say sharing it was a relief.
"I just told something I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with my friends," Hoehn said. "I feel better now."
Ball said the anonymity of the project allows people to share things they otherwise would not share.
Ball planned and organized International Story Day herself, but throughout the day Ball was accompanied by friends and volunteers.
Will Scott, sophomore in molecular biology, was on hand helping to collect stories and even went on a lunch run.
"Liz is a friend of mine," Scott said. "So I offered to come sit and help out."
Scott also said that it was fascinating to hear strangers' stories.
"One woman said she lived on Magnolia in the '60s," Scott said. "It was interesting to hear how Auburn's changed."
Ball said the variety of stories received really made International Story Day an interesting undertaking.
"Everyone has a story," Ball said. "Everyone has something to share."
Ball said she felt the event will help underline common experience, and help encourage a sense of community connection.
"I really think sharing stories will help people see similarities in others' experiences," Ball said.
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