Students Serve Community
More than 500 helped despite pouring rain
Senior business major Jay Petersen prepares for a damp day of helping others during the annual Service Day Oct. 14.
About 500 students refused to allow pouring rain to dampen their spirits, choosing instead to brave the inclement weather and lend a helping hand to those in need. Over 60 different service projects sent groups of students all over the Valley, working on everything from simple yard care and cleaning to minor construction projects.
According to Paddy McCoy, campus chaplain, the rain was what set this service day apart. “Usually, bad weather cuts participation almost in half,” said McCoy. “This year almost everyone who signed up came out on Wednesday morning to serve.”
The weather did indeed make this Service Day memorable. Becka Hanan, sophomore mass communications, had a unique perspective on the day, since her job as an ASWWU photographer required her to visit many of the projects around town. Hanan was amazed at the tenacity of the students who showed up to work in the rain. One group in particular made a strong impression on her.
“The most difficult job I saw was probably the group out at Rooks Park. They were building a cement wall along the roadway, and they had to get down in the mud and dig out the space for it,” Hanan said.
The Service Day festivities began at 8 a.m. with a pancake and waffle breakfast provided by the University Church pastors in the fellowship hall. The campus ministries team also provided lunch for participants at 1 p.m., when most of the projects were wrapping up.
The multitude of smiles on display after lunch were a testament to the truth of God’s promise to bless those who serve. Alban Howe, senior mathematics and Spanish, was pleased with the outcome of the day.
“On a scale of 1 to 10,” Howe said, “this venture was a success.
Reprinted with permission from The Collegian.
