By Elizabeth Oakes, staff writer
Engineering students work on building a swing set for the East Chester site of Mission Jackson, an outreach program of Englewood Baptist Church, during Union’s tenth annual Campus and Community Day.
About 1,000 Union students served others throughout Jackson Nov. 6 during the university’s Campus and Community: A Day of Remembrance and Service event. The annual day of service was created to thank the community for helping Union after a tornado swept across campus in 2002.
“I would love for this day to be the start of long-lasting relationships between students and non-profits in the area,” said Keely Hart, director of discipleship. “Service should not just be once a year, it should be a crucial part of our lives.”
Some students already are living that vision.
Ashley Payton, junior social work major, took a service group with her to play bingo with the residents of Alexandria Place, which she visits frequently to spend time with a resident.
“I asked Keely if there was already a trip to Alexandria Place,” Payton said. “I told her there would be bingo and she said, ‘Why don’t you head that up?’ and patted me on the back.”
Payton began visiting a resident there this semester for a class assignment.
Jennifer Brewer, administrator of Alexandria Place and university alumnus, said Alexandria Place residents love Union students “because they shine. They bring energy and laughter.”
Several students circled large wooden tables with two bingo cards each as Kristen Miller, junior business management major, called out numbers.
“I think I have found my new calling in life,” Miller joked. “I am going to be a bingo caller on a cruise ship.”
Union students often visit Alexandria Place, and each Monday night, members of Lambda Chi Alpha go for “Bingo with the Boys” as some residents call it, Payton said. While the group competed for candy and quarters at Alexandria Place, another team from Union painted walls and built a swing set for Mission Jackson’s East Chester Street site.
John Keller, sophomore biblical studies major, explained that each week, 40 to 60 teenagers from the area meet there for games and a Bible study, led by members of Englewood Baptist Church.
“It can get chaotic, but I try to get some one-on-one time (with the teenagers),” Kellar said. “We are intentional to know who they are and how they are doing.”
He added that meeting with them each week has made him appreciate what he has.
Several engineering majors constructed a swingset at the East Chester Street site. “Guys, look!” said Tom
Drury, senior engineering major, as he tried out a swing. “Money in the bank.”
Other groups spent time packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, sorting items for the Salvation Army or performing yardwork for the disabled.
“The fact that Campus and Community Day has grown over the past 10 years says something about our (Union) community,” Hart said. “We are not quick to forget God’s faithfulness or those who have been kind to us over the years.”
