Three Midland University students are using a class project to help young parents in the Fremont area.
As part of Dr. Megan Nielsen’s Social Change class, Rebecca Bartlett, Katie Franklin, and Andre Jenkins are planning a concert and “baby drive” from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the Midland University Chapel, located in Clemmons Hall.
Admission to the concert by The Midways, a local group, will be any item for a baby or young child, such as diapers, formula, bottles, clothes, coats, and shoes.
The public is invited to the concert. Those wishing to donate to the cause can stop by to drop off items.
Items will be donated to the Rupert Dunklau Center for Healthy Families, 1420 E. Military Ave. in Fremont, which operates a boutique that assists young families to obtain needed supplies. The center is operated by Lutheran Family Services.
It is how the boutique operates that led Bartlett, Franklin, and Jenkins to the decision to focus on creating awareness about the center’s programs.
“The mothers have a low income, so they don’t really have the money to go out and buy all that stuff,” Bartlett said. “They take classes at Lutheran Family Services. They gain points, and you can ‘buy’ the stuff with the points you have. They’re saving money but they’re also gaining the knowledge they need to help them raise their children.”
In addition to the Young Families Incentive Program, Lutheran Family Services offers parenting classes and materials, parenting support groups, life-skill development, community referrals, and family life education and support.
Bartlett said The Midways have become a popular band with Midland students. Members of The Midways are Logan Krug on guitar and vocals, Carson Wirges on guitar and vocals, James Shinkle on keyboard and vocals, Jaime Sauceda on bass, and Ben Wotipka on drums.
“A lot of students here at Midland like this band,” she said, “so we felt like that would attract more attention.”
Bartlett explained that she, Franklin, and Jenkins have learned much about organizing a fundraiser. In addition to developing the concept, they have worked to create promotional materials and distribute them across campus and around the community.
However, their class project does not end once the last note is played on Friday. The three still have to tally the donations, determine how the project helped Lutheran Family Services, and prepare a final presentation for Nielsen’s class.
