More than 800 students to participate in Lipscomb's annual Service Day
Haley Coble |
More than 800 students are gearing up to give back as a part of Lipscomb University’s annual Service Day.
On Wednesday, April 6, classes will be cancelled for the afternoon as students, faculty and staff disperse between nearly 50 different agencies across Middle Tennessee from noon to 4 p.m. in efforts to give back to the community.
From sorting food to doing yard work, from painting buildings to reading to children, groups will serve at various locations including public schools, the American Red Cross, local churches, Goodwill, Shelby Bottoms, Owl Hill Nature Sanctuary, Churches of Christ Disaster Relief and Radnor Lake State Natural Area.
Keela Smith, associate dean of student life and coordinator of Service Day, said this year’s goal was to have 800 students participate and the number of volunteers already exceeds that goal.
“Service is not only a top priority for the Office of Student Life, but also for the university as a whole as we seek to serve not only on campus, but in the community as well,” said Smith. “Service Day is a tradition that only highlights the hearts and efforts of our students, faculty and staff. It is not just something that we do, it is who we are and I think that's what makes it even more special.”
Chris Klotz, director of spiritual formations in athletics, is leading a team of 40 student-athletes to Carter Lawrence Elementary for the afternoon and said he is excited to see how these student-athletes will come alive in their gifting when serving others.
“Each week we take a group of student-athletes to Carter Lawrence to participate in its after-school program, so when Carter Lawrence asked us to bring 15 volunteers, we had to call back and ask if it was okay to bring 40 instead,” said Klotz. “Part of my role and passion is to provide environments for athletes to grow spiritually, and Carter Lawrence is one of those places. Most of the student-athletes volunteering have built relationships with these students at Carter Lawrence, and being able to serve others within our community is a huge calling over our lives.”
Abby Newby, a junior dietetics major from Washington, is serving with Goodwill to sort donations and said her favorite part of Service Day is getting to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
“Lipscomb equips and provides us with opportunities to live out the calling of God,” said Newby. “Whether it’s digging up a plot of land for a garden or cutting hundreds of paper frogs, taking the time to serve someone else is what it is all about.”
Service Day is one of many coordinated volunteer opportunities that students are encouraged to participate in throughout the academic year. Other opportunities include QuestWeek Service Day, spring and summer mission trips, social club service events and SALT (Serving and Learning Together) program events.
Classes will be canceled during the service day event and students participating will receive three chapel credits for participating. Lunch will be provided.
For more information questions regarding Service Day and how to get involved please contact Lucas Allen at //lrallen [at] mail.lipscomb.edu">lrallen [at] mail.lipscomb.edu.