First Lesson for New LVC Students: The Value of Community Service

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ANNVILLE, PA (08/05/2011)(readMedia)-- More than 500 Lebanon Valley College students will participate in a two-hour service project in the auxiliary gymnasium at the Arnold Sports Complex from 3–5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28. The entire incoming class of freshmen will work with returning student leaders at 15 different stations to make items to be donated to local charities as well as national and international service organizations.

Students will complete projects benefiting the local area including making 90 kitten blankets for the SPCA; vases filled with cards and brightly colored paper flowers for residents in convalescent homes; holiday cards for families at Hope Lodge in Hershey; canvas aprons for the Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13 Education Service Agency and "Caitlin's Smiles," a Harrisburg-based charity for children with cancer; friendship bracelets with rubber athletic charms for athletes involved in Lebanon County Special Olympics; and 180 bird houses and sun catchers will be painted and sold to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County.

At the national level, students will write letters of encouragement to current military personnel. Friendship bracelets mailed to the Cool Kids Campaign will be distributed to children with cancer. Students will trim hundreds of greeting cards to be sent to St. Jude's Ranch for Children as part of their Recycled Card Program.

International concerns have not been forgotten. Grocery bags will be cut into loops and then tied end-to-end to make yarn that will be used to create a covering for part of a playground at San Gabriel Kindergarten in Cusco, Peru. Shoe boxes will be wrapped in Christmas paper in preparation to be filled with toys and sent to children in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with Operation Christmas Child.

The service projects provide a unique opportunity for incoming LVC students to work together as a class toward a common goal. "We're particularly pleased by the high level of involvement on the part of returning students," said Chaplain Fullmer. "All of these projects are being coordinated for the incoming students by returning students who are heavily involved in service organizations on campus."

The Orientation Service Project is the first of a series of programs designed in support of LVC's goal to "prepare students for a life of service to others," a key tenet of the College's mission statement. Throughout the academic year, students will also engage representatives of local service organizations at a service fair, spend a day clearing the grounds at Union Canal, and participate in national service initiatives such as Make a Difference Day, MLK Day of Service, and Lebanon County Day of Caring, among other projects. To encourage service to the nation as well as the local community, LVC's Student Government has designated funds for a service trip with Habitat for Humanity over spring break.

Several incentive programs seek to reward students for their service. Bronze, Silver or Gold Community Service Awards based upon the number of hours a student serves the local community are posted on LVC's Job Center Profile for the information of prospective employers. Students who serve the local community are also recognized at an annual banquet and in the commencement program.

Community members who know of active or retired military personnel or residents of local retirement community who might appreciate a note from a college student are welcome to contact Chaplain Fullmer in the Office of Community Service and Volunteerism at 717-867-6135 or fullmer@lvc.edu. The donation of shoe boxes to the Office would also be appreciated.