Bethel Students Continue Service Day Tradition
This past Tuesday, Oct. 5, students, faculty and staff participated in the 22nd annual service day. While I wasn’t able to go with any of the groups this year, I did have the opportunity to travel around last year and see our students in action at several locations. It was a great experience to witness our students making an impact in our community, while having a few laughs at the same time. (See below for video footage.)
This year we heard several stories on Facebook, both from students who served and from those who received assistance. Here is what some of them had to say:
Diego Cardenas ('11) reads to a local elementary student as part of Bethel's 22nd annual service day. Michelle (Schmidt '05) Story, a teacher from the school, says, "Diego was able to read to one of our newest students who knows no English... what was so great about it? He read to the little guy in Spanish! What a great opportunity for this kid!"
From Michelle (Schmidt ’05) Story: I was so encouraged to have students from Bethel College come and serve at my school for their Service Learning Day… 30+ Bethel Students read to over 150 students one-on-one or in small groups! What a blessing to our school! Thanks to Bethel College Service Learning for coordinating a wonderful event. (Here are photos.)
From Stephanie Carlson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and Pet Refuge dog trainer: A group of 11 students washed, brushed, trained and walked almost every dog at the Pet Refuge! We were so blessed to have them there.
From Brenda Wohlford (’11): Working at Feed the Children. We filled 4,600 boxes today! Awesome experience! Feels great to bless others we may never meet! (Here is a photo.)
From Erin Wagler: BETHEL COLLEGE ROCKS!!!! Students and faculty gave of their morning to help beautify our church for the Bethel Community Service Day! Thank you so much! You’re such a blessing!!! The students got so much done faster than we could have imagined. One student even came back later that afternoon all on his own to help my husband and me finish some of the projects. We were really impressed!
Two of our student bloggers, Charity and Karli, also posted their thoughts (along with some photos) about service day.
What are your service day memories? We’d love to hear them in the comments!
Watch a video of the 2009 service day:
Service day is a great way for Bethel students to reach out to the community and develop closer friendships with one another. I went to a nursing home, we did some touch up painting and then a while talking with the residents. A bunch of us want to go back.
Dear Bethelcollege,
I know what you mean, Many moons ago and without giving away my youthful age I was the vice president of our Key Club in High School. If you don’t know what a Key Club is, it is a club on campus, and in some junior high school which is sponsored by the Rotary club. The Rotary Clubs take the Key Clubs under their wings and help develop future community leaders within the ranks of the local school. This is a wonderful an outstanding program, and I can remember helping out at Thanksgiving Dinners at old folks homes, and all sorts of other community charity events.
I’ll be back to read more next time
Thanks for sharing your service day comments Mr. Kim.