MOVE Week Offers Midland Community Chance to Help, Interact with Fremont Organizations
The Midland University community was giving of its time, talents, and labor during Midland Outreach & Volunteer Engagement (MOVE) Week Oct. 1-4.
More than 170 students, faculty, and staff helped numerous organizations with various tasks over four days.
“It was encouraging to see so many people sign up,” said Lisa Kramme, Director for Campus Ministry & Spiritual Wellness. “The feedback I’ve been getting is that it was a great experience for people from Midland, and it really made a difference for the organizations, so it was a win-win for all who participated.”
Eleven different organizations were helping coordinate volunteer efforts for the Midland community, everything from yard clean-up to spending time with animals, and even Arts students performing musical numbers for residents at Fremont Housing Authority.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to the community and see what needs they have, and there was great variety, so there was something for everyone,” Kramme said. “I think it was great for our students to get just a sampling of some of the great things these organizations are doing in our community.
“I even talked to students who said they would continue volunteering throughout the year, and that is a wonderful sense of vocation that they want to keep giving back.”
Kramme said the community partners helped make MOVE Week a successful venture for the second straight year. “They do this work every day, and we’re so grateful they allowed us to come in and serve alongside them,” she said. “Also, we’re very thankful for Rebuilding Together, who supplied tools for yard clean-up, and for Trent Meyer and his tree service for helping get trees mulched.”
Helping others is an integral part of the Midland mission, and Kramme is grateful for all the efforts of the Midland community to roll up their sleeves and lend a helping hand.
“As an ELCA institution, this is part of the mission of who we are, and serving others is part of what Jesus has taught us and encouraged us to do,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the support of everyone in the Midland community because this was a campus-wide effort.”
Volunteers are also needed for the Fremont Area United Way Food Packaging Days Oct. 24-25. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up on the Food Packaging Days website.
