Students Spread Spirit of Service on Trips to Chicago, New York

Students and staff point to the Lindsey Wilson tile in the kitchen of God's Love We Deliver.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Earlier this month, two groups of Lindsey Wilson College students and staff took the spirit of Malvina Farkle Day on the road.

The two traveled to Chicago and New York over fall break to serve the less fortunate. The New York group worked with God's Love We Deliver, an organization that delivers meals to terminally ill residents. The Chicago group worked with the Institute of Cultural Affairs, an organization that delivers community development programs.

Malvina Farkle Day is an annual fall day in which the LWC community celebrates community service.

"On that day, we encourage students to make service a part of their daily lives, and that's exactly what these two groups of students did over their recent fall break," said LWC Dean of Students Chris Schmidt.

This was the 10th year LWC students have worked with God's Love We Deliver.

"To date, this has to be one of the best trips we had had to God's Love We Deliver in NYC," Schmidt said. "We did morning and afternoon shifts in the kitchen, van deliveries all over the five borough (of New York City), and walking delivers throughout Manhattan.

"We did it all, and actually filled in for some other volunteer groups that had to cancel last minute. The volunteer director commented often on how we really saved them some much needed time and help when we filled in and volunteered extra time."

Schmidt said the work with God's Love is right in line with the Lindsey Wilson mission.

"GLWD and LWC feel like the same place since we have worked there so much," he said. "Our work at GLWD is directly in line with our mission and continues to show how Lindsey Wilson College and our campus community are making a difference in people's lives throughout the country."

Instructor of history Asa Swan headed the group that went to Chicago. 

"Our group of 17 was so blessed to spend most of fall break with the wonderful people at the Institute of Cultural Affairs in Chicago," said Swan.

Swan said the trip was a success because of its unique blend of service and exploration.

"Whether we were learning about sustainability, exploring uptown, or working at the People's Church Homeless Shelter, the Going Global Learning Community's trip to Chicago experienced service-learning at its best," Swan said. 

Amelia Withers of Russell Springs, Ky., was among the students who made the trip to Chicago.

"Being able to help those in need in a city like Chicago was very eye opening," Withers said. "We had a blast and I got to see many things I never had before. It felt good to be working with my school to do good in a place so far from home."

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Click here to see pictures of the service trip to God's Love We Deliver.