Annual Day of Remembrance involves students in serving community

Campus and Community: Day of Remembrance Audio
Video, audio and soundslide by Katherine Pullen

“We’re not just a school that’s in Jackson, we’re a part of Jackson,” said Rachel Moore, senior art major. “That’s something I feel like I’ve been learning my whole four years here.”

Moore participated in the ninth annual Campus and Community: A Day of Remembrance, Nov. 1. About 1,000 students were involved in more than 70 diverse service projects in Jackson and the surrounding areas.

Moore led a group of art majors to Free Will Shelter and Outreach Inc. in Humboldt, a nonprofit, faith-based ministry that provides assistance to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction or homelessness and those coming out of prison.

The art students spent the day painting a mural on the outside wall of the ministry’s building. Passersby on Humboldt’s Main Street can see the dynamic picture of a large family sitting around a table for the Thanksgiving meal.

Betsy Marsch, sophomore art major, also took part in the project at Freewill Shelter.

“It’s really good to go out where you’re helping other people instead of thinking about all the things that you have to do,” Marsch said.

Students and faculty took the day off from classes to serve in projects throughout the surrounding communities as a way to say “thank you” for how community members aided Union after the tornadoes of 2002, 2003 and 2008.

“It’s great that the university sets aside a day that we all have the opportunity to go and serve people,” said Courtney Burton, senior social work major. Burton worked in the garden at Area Relief Ministries, a homeless outreach center in downtown Jackson.

The service projects, which involve students and faculty from nearly every department and campus organization, are an expression of Union’s Christ-centered and people-focused values.

Kacie Land, freshman biology major, packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children in need around the world.  She was part of a group from the Beta Omega chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Land said she enjoyed being involved with the service project because “it holds so much meaning behind it. We get to give the Gospel to children who may never hear (otherwise).”

At Alexander Elementary School, a group of student members of the American Chemical Society performed skits from Fusion Science Theater to creatively teach children about science.

Tyler Jones, sophomore chemistry major, said he has participated in different projects during each of the last two annual events. He said he had a lot of fun taking part in the day of service and he plans to participate next year.

“Everyone should be involved with Campus and Community Day,” Jones said.

Rachel Ware, director of discipleship in the Office of Spiritual Life and a Union alumnus, helped coordinate the projects for Campus and Community Day. She said she has received tremendously positive feedback from both students and people in the community.

“I have overwhelmingly heard that students are just excited about this day. It’s actually one of the favorite events on campus,” Ware said.