H-SC freshmen help community
Published 1:30 pm Thursday, August 25, 2016
- CARSON REEHER | HERALD Pictured, from left, Andrew Marshal, Jack Campanaro, Jaylin Farrow, Christian Blankenship and Parker Smith help package eggs at FACES during H-SC’s freshman service project this past weekend.
Hampden-Sydney College freshmen gave back to the community during their first weekend on campus. On Aug. 20, nearly 300 freshmen and their resident advisors (RAs) went out to give back, said Director of Student Affairs Operations and Civic Engagement Sandra Cooke.
“Before they went, they spent 30 minutes discussing the importance of civic engagement and learning about their projects,” Cooke said.
CARSON REEHER | HERALD
George Tryfiates, right, and Rob Lewis help to fix handicap parking lot signs during Tigers Serve on Saturday.
Twenty-one service projects were scheduled for the group. Students participated in everything from highway cleanups to volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity House.
Farmville Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager Hope Parijs said students helped with landscaping, installing installation and fixing framing of a habitat house. “These guys got to meet with the homeowner … and got to work with her side by side,” Parijs said.
She said students got to see first hand how their work helped the community.
“The guys did a great job, they asked a lot of questions and they were very interested in the work. They wanted to make sure that they did quality work,” Parijs said.
One group assisted with painting and yard work at Prince Edward- Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) fields. Bruce Davis, member at large of the PEFYA board for 15 years, said this was helpful because PEFYA relies on volunteers. Also, he said it’s a good program for the students.
“It’s showing them a way to give back and get involved now that they’re becoming adults,” he said.
A group at FACES Food Pantry did everything from packaging eggs to cleaning a large freezer.
Sheila Hight, director and USDA manager of FACES, said because FACES is a 100 percent volunteer organization and most of their volunteers are over 50 years old, heavy labor is challenging for many volunteers.
There were groups at the Southside Virginia Family YMCA, Cumberland Presbyterian Church and on campus working on the Wilson Trail.
PEFYA was very appreciative Cooke said, adding students working at Habitat for Humanity had a great time.
Cooke said this is the fifth year for the program. Hampden-Sydney College participates in several service projects throughout the year, including their “Big Event.”
“I think it’s a great program. It ties into what they’re being taught out there, being good leaders and men,” said Davis.
He said it’s good to see students getting involved during their freshman years, right away, rather than waiting until their junior or senior years.
