Freed-Hardeman University's Second Annual Servants' Day Spreads Love, Community Service

Dozens of student-led projects helped to spread God's love during the second annual Servants' Day held last month.

Instead of academic classes for the day, students signed up for a service project either on campus or in the community. Students volunteered for a variety of projects that included repainting school playground equipment, playing games with Heritage Towers residents, visiting with the sick and shut-in, picking up roadside trash and helping local teachers in their classrooms. For many of the participating students, the day was inspiring and a reminder of God's commandment for individuals to use their gifts to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).

"It has made my semester," Morgan Perkins, who helped at the special needs field day at Mid-South Youth Camp. "It was an experience that I will never forget. It was more than anything I could have imagined. This project showed me that showing love to others no matter what is important."

FHU freshman Drew Bramblett wiped windows at Chester County Junior High. "Being at my old school cleaning windows made me feel nostalgic and like I was visiting an old friend," he said.

Additional projects involved members of Chorale singing for senior citizens at Southern Oaks, students sorting donated clothing for "And You Clothed Me," a project which invites individuals to 'shop' for clothing without having to pay. The Lady Lions basketball team organized goods in a warehouse to benefit the Waverly residents impacted by flooding in 2021. Other groups wrote cards of support to senior citizens and FHU dining staff.

"University Servants' Day is a blessing!" FHU President David R. Shannon said. "Many faculty and students from behavioral sciences painted at North Chester School. Phi Kappa Alpha hosted activities for Shiradon Kirk's special needs class. Sweet Jordan's and 139 Ministries participated in an informative panel. Dr. McLarty reminded us to see Jesus in everyone we serve. And the list could go on and on, involving hundreds of faculty and staff. I hope we lifted others up while glorifying God."