March 22, 2011
Students plan projects for annual day of service
Harding University students invite you to come on down and serve. They are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready for the 9th Annual Bisons for Christ Day of Service on Wednesday, April 6, in Searcy and White County. More than 2,000 Harding students will be working with people in the community on over 150 projects from 3 to 6 p.m.
Ashley Shelton, a Harding student from Heber Springs, Ark., who serves on the event’s executive committee, describes the purpose of Bisons for Christ as an effort to live our faith in the community through service.
“This event connects Harding students and faculty with people in our community to make a difference,” said Shelton. “Every year, thousands of students, alongside local church members, take an afternoon to impact our community for Christ. These acts of kindness are not just limited to this one time effort but are often followed by continuing ministry.”
During brainstorming meetings throughout the semester, students indicated their interest in developing stronger relationships through service. The slogan for Bisons for Christ this year is: “Come on down.” The theme was chosen from Philippians 2:5-8 where Jesus invites us to come on down, humble ourselves and become servants.
“There are many ways to get involved as well as opportunities for random acts of kindness,” added Todd Gentry, college and outreach minister at College Church of Christ and co-director of Bisons for Christ. “Organizing the day of service is a tremendous team effort, and many students are excited about the opportunities to serve.”
If you need assistance with a project or know of someone who does, please contact the Rock House at 268-4191 or send an email to college_outreach@yahoo.com by March 25.
“Our community contacts continue to be appreciative of our efforts throughout the years,” explained Liz Howell, assistant to the president for alumni and parent relations at Harding University and co-director of Bisons for Christ.
“Harding values our relationship with the community and is grateful to the citizens of Searcy and White County. This project is a small token of our appreciation and a way to instill into our students the importance of giving and developing Christian servants. This year, students are thinking bigger than our community and are challenging students from other Christian colleges, Harding alumni, friends, and parents all over the world to identify the unmet needs and become the catalyst for good works on April 6 or by serving on another date. ”
All Harding University athletic teams are participating along with a variety of organizations. Some of the service projects include making blankets and stocking duffel bags with items for foster children, cleaning debris, washing windows at Searcy and Beebe Housing Authorities, sending candy bars to people who are in jail, helping hundreds of widows and orphans, plus picking up trash, raking leaves, working with children in after school programs and much more.
If you would like to volunteer or need more information, call The Rock House on campus at 501-268-4191.