April 15, 2009

Harding University to spend afternoon in service to community

SEARCY, Ark.⎯Harding University students, faculty and staff will come
together on April 22 to devote their time and energy to the community
during the Day of Service organized by Bisons for Christ.

More than 100 service projects are scheduled, and an estimated 2,000
students will participate in this year’s activities. The mission is to
introduce students to needs within the community through
servant-leadership.

Harding has sponsored outreach efforts through the Day of Service
since 2003. Bisons for Christ took over organizing the event in 2007.
Liz Howell, director of Alumni Relations, and Todd Gentry, college
outreach minister at College Church of Christ, are co-directors of the
group. Student leaders also participate on the executive committee,
which meets weekly.

“Our goal is to introduce students to the joy of serving others while
creating a closer understanding of what it means to serve for more
than just one day,” says Howell. “We want to get every student
involved in some kind of service project while they are here at
Harding and encourage them toward a lifetime of service.”

Participants will be involved in a variety of projects, including:
•       Searcy and Beebe Housing Authorities – Students will deliver food to
residents and wash windows.
•       Clean-up efforts – Students will work with the county and city to
beautify the community by painting, making repairs and pickup up
trash. They will also repair the gazebo next to the municipal pool at
Searcy Head Start.
•       After-school programs – Hundreds of Harding students will visit
elementary schools across the county to help with after-school
programs and activities.
•       Play Days – Students will be on-site to play games with children at
Berryhill Park, Meadowlake Apartments and Carmichael Community Center.
•       Free sports clinics for kindergarten through eighth grade students –
Boys  and girls can join the Harding soccer teams and coaches at
Letain DeVore Soccer Complex. Boys can play with Harding’s baseball
team and coaches at Jerry Moore Field. Bison basketball teams and
coaches will be available to play with boys and girls at St. Mary’s
Church. Boys can experience a Bison football training camp at First
Security Stadium.

Most service projects will take place between 3 and 6 p.m. For more
information, contact the Harding Alumni Office at 501-279-4276.

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive April 20-22 in
conjunction with service activities. Anyone interested can donate
blood in the Hammon Student Center from 1 to 7 p.m. each day.

Harding had a record enrollment this year of more than 6,500 students
from 48 states and 52 foreign countries. It is the largest private
university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than
any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains
campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France/Switzerland, Greece,
Italy and Zambia.