Lynn Klavetter

Serving others through organized service projects ranks as a priority among some Christian groups.

Among others, the Nurses Christian Fellowship and the University Lutheran Center both strive to volunteer their service for the community.

This fall the NCF served at the Harvest Table, which offers a free meal provided for those in need, and went caroling at a couple of assisted living places.

“It (caroling) was really good and the people were really appreciative of us stopping by for just a little bit,” junior Jill Anderson said, adding, “It showed how much just a small act could affect so many people and bring a little joy into their lives.”

The NCF voluntarily serves several times throughout the year.

“We serve probably once a month or once every two months. It just depends on what is going on in the community and what the group wants to do,” junior Jill Anderson said.

The ULC is involved in service with a different project each month.

“In September we did the Harvest Table. We put on a chili feed for over a hundred people for free. In October we went to St. Dysmas and worshiped with the prisoners,” Peer Minister for Service sophomore Alicia Williams said.

Other service projects put on by the ULC have included Habitat for Humanity, the Angel Tree and doing lock-ins for middle schoolers.

Service work makes a positive impact on the volunteers.

“We do service projects to help people and to open our eyes to other things that are out there. It is an opportunity to feel good about ourselves and get out in the community,” Williams said.

In addition to personal satisfaction, others benefit.

“It only takes a little bit of your time to help another person. Instead of watching TV for a couple of hours you could go and help someone else,” Anderson said.

For both of the groups, the number of students involved in service is relatively few. According to Williams, the ULC usually has around 10 people at service projects, but sometimes as many as 20. As for the NCF, a small group of students, usually around five or six but sometimes as many as 12, serve.

Despite the relatively low numbers of people who make service work a priority and take the time to be involved, the groups have impacted many people for the better.

“We’ve gotten thank-you letters back from everything. When we leave there is a sense of accomplishment. We’re reaching out to people who don’t have what we have,” Williams said.