This fall, the Love Does in Action club launched in Auburn. The club focuses on loving one another through acts of kindness, from buying a stranger a coffee to hosting community events for underserved families.
Love Does did not begin as a club for college students, though. The organization, founded in 2002 by Bob Goff, initially began as a way to provide education in conflict zones around the world. After opening schools and safe houses in Uganda and India, Goff published his memoir, “Love Does,” to share his belief that love should be shown through actions to uplift and support others.
Reading "Love Does" is what connected Auburn co-presidents Sophia Weber and Jane Roach. Moved by the book, Roach, a senior studying rehabilitation and disability studies, wrote a letter to Goff to express her gratitude. Goff wrote a personal letter back and informed her that the organization was starting action clubs across the United States.
“I had some rejections from other organizations I wanted to be involved in, and I was like, 'The door is really being opened for this,'” Roach said. “I was all in and spent all my time dreaming about it in the spring.”
When Weber, a sports journalism major, saw a post about the Love Does in Action club coming to college campuses, she knew she wanted to be part of it. She reached out to Love Does to begin the process of starting one at Auburn, unaware that Roach was working on the same idea.
“We both have had really important experiences with the book, and our hearts are really rooted in fulfilling that,” Weber said.
As co-presidents, Weber and Roach are responsible for planning the group’s biweekly meetings, discussing how to attract more members and managing the logistics behind events. During meetings, members choose a mini project to complete. Some of these projects include baking for a neighbor or purchasing coffee for a stranger.
“Something so simple really does mean the world,” Weber said.
The organization encourages the action clubs to host or collaborate on a large-scale event each semester. On Nov. 18, Love Does in Action collaborated with Vecinos Ministry to put on a fall festival. This event, which included face painting, inflatables and a visit from Aubie the Tiger, worked to connect families in the Spanish-speaking community with the youth-based programs that Vecinos hosts.
“We planned for 40 kids as a goal number. Including kids and parents, we had well over 200 people come,” Roach said.
Although this was above the turnout expected, Love Does in Action was prepared. The Love Does organization provides its action clubs $2,000 per semester to host an event of this scale.
“Everywhere you looked, all these kids were running around, having such a great time, just overflowing with joy,” said Anne Werber, pre-interior design freshman and club member. “It was a really special time.”
Apart from their collaboration with Vecinos, Love Does in Action also worked with Auburn’s International Justice Mission. Together, the clubs fundraised money to contribute to a rescue mission. Rescue missions protect victims of violence and cost around $12,000. Love Does in Action also hosted a run with the International Justice Mission. The run raised $2,000.
When planning for the future, Roach reflected on her hope to see the club evolve.
“Continuing to grow the community, like people bringing friends and just really sweet people who are all passionate about the same thing,” Roach said.
The club also hopes to raise enough money to perform more extravagant acts of kindness, such as purchasing football tickets for people. To do this, the club accepts donations from local businesses and anyone who wants to get involved.
On campus, Love Does in Action can be found tabling on the Haley Concourse amongst other student organizations.
“We see people, and we talk to them, and sometimes we don’t even talk about the club. Our main focus is just showing joy to people,” Werber said.
If an Auburn student does not meet the club on the concourse, they can join via Instagram or AUInvolve.
“If you just show up to the club, everyone will welcome you with open arms,” Werber said. “Every single person there wants to meet new people.”
Weber included that the club is based in Christian faith, but students of all religious beliefs are welcome.
“The purpose of the club is for everyone, and it’s for community, so even if you have different views or opinions, you are still so welcome. We just want to bring love to everyone,” Werber said.
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Layla Hyatt, sophomore double majoring in journalism and public and professional writing, is from Mobile, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
