Bethel University Community Impact Report

Community Impact Report | 10 BethelUniversity.edu BETHEL UNIVERSITY By Brianna R. Densmore ’23 Bethel University’s mission is to transform communities through Christ-centered graduates. We cultivate this mission by providing students ample opportunities to serve throughout the year, including the annual campus-wide Service Day. It’s a day where campus sets aside books and course work to serve the local community together. For Bethel’s 31st annual Service Day in 2019, about 650 participants, including Bethel students, faculty and staff, served at nearly 50 locations, including Logan Center, Potawatomi Zoo, Center for the Homeless and the Humane Society, just to name a few. “Bethel serves the community throughout the year, but this day is special,” says Tyler Grant ’09, Director of Global Engagement and Career Services, and Service Day coordinator. “It’s always extraordinary to see the campus break from the normal schedule to go out and work in the community.” This is the third year that Bethel’s Service Day has been sponsored by United Federal Credit Union. In addition to providing funding, United employees served alongside Bethel students and employees at various locations. “It’s an honor for Team United to work with Bethel to make a difference in the community,” says Alysa Snell, United’s Market Vice President—Indiana.“At United, we believe in putting our values into action, and we are thankful to Bethel for giving us the opportunity to pitch in and showcase together what true service is all about.” Several locations served included Hello Gorgeous! and Ronald McDonald House, where volunteer coordinators expressed their thanks for the students’ help. Kim Becker is the founder of Hello Gorgeous!, an organization that provides complimentary, professional makeovers and cosmetic education to women struggling with cancer. Becker greatly appreciated the volunteers, who helped organize wigs. She said that this is the third or fourth year Bethel students have assisted them and they always do an amazing job. “I can’t say enough about working with the Bethel kids,” says Becker. “They’re all wonderful; we’ve always had great luck working with them.” Students also volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, an organization that provides a place to stay for families of children being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities. Sue Losievski, the House Operations Assistant, loved the joy and energy displayed by the students as they BETHEL GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY