IDEAL students give back during annual Service Day
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Serving the community is a hallmark of Lipscomb University. And everyone can make a difference.
Students from Lipscomb’s IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program were among nearly 800 students who served at 50 Nashville organizations on the university’s annual service day on April 8.
The IDEAL program provides academic instruction, social interaction and life skills training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Eleven IDEAL students worked at three locations, including the Nashville Food Project headquarters, ThriftSmart and Churches of Christ Disaster Relief.
Alanna Johnson says she is following her mother’s example of serving others.
“I love volunteering because my mom has four day care (centers) and helps other people by taking care of their kids,” says Johnson, who joined the IDEAL program this year. “I love helping people and helping the community. I love it because it is a fun opportunity to get to know new people, to help people and to have fun.”
“I like taking care of the community,” says Zach Sutton, a first-year IDEAL student, “because I help other people.”
Volunteers at the Disaster Relief site helped pack boxes filled with supplies to be sent out across the country to victims of major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires and other events, according to Ralph Coles, director of operations for the organization.
“Volunteers are very important to our organization,” he says. “Most of the work done here is done by volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without the help of volunteers like these students.”
The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief effort began operations in 1990. Since 1991, the nonprofit organization has distributed more than $135 million in emergency goods and supplies to thousands of disaster victims in 47 states.
“We depend on our volunteers,” agrees Terry Hanvey, warehouse worker for Disaster Relief since 2010. “It helps us so much. With God’s blessing we have all the help we need.”
The IDEAL students say they enjoy giving back to others.
“Knowing there are people out there who have lost a lot of their stuff, we can help people along the way,” says Matt Branch, who joined the IDEAL program last fall.
Connor Mirt, also a first-year student, says participating in Service Day is “fun and exciting.”
“I want to come again next year,” he says with a smile. “I like to help people who are out of their houses from tornadoes and have lost power.”
Mallory Whitmore, IDEAL program director, says that every student, no matter their background, can help others.
“The best thing about volunteering is for our students and the community to realize that our intellectually and developmentally disabled students have gifts to give,” says Whitmore. “They are not just takers, but they have many opportunities to also be givers. It’s a nice change of pace for them!”
Beginning with freshman orientation, Lipscomb’s curriculum and programs are designed to give students a jump-start into a life of service. Throughout the school year, students volunteer for social club projects, participate in mission trips and volunteer on Service Day among other activities. Students also take service-learning courses coordinated by the SALT program (Serving and Learning Together), a program involving all students in service learning as a graduation requirement.
-Photos by Kristi Jones