OBU connects with community through Tiger Serve Day
April 15, 2010 - Amy Lynn Wentz
A total of 673 volunteers, 65 teams and 101 projects are what made this spring’s Tiger Serve Day such a success. Volunteer teams of students, faculty and staff from Ouachita Baptist University assembled to serve the city of Arkadelphia on April 10 for the semi-annual Tiger Serve Day, a program of OBU’s Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community.
“This was an exceptionally strong turnout for a spring Tiger Serve Day,” said Ian Cosh, director of the Elrod Center. “Given that the numbers were strong, it would be fair to say that this was a high impact day.”
The community embraced the teams that visited and served them. “They appreciated the
teams’ hard work and the way they served cheerfully and diligently,” said Judy Duvall,
assistant director of the Elrod Center. “The volunteers were eager and ready to go
and after serving were especially happy that they had made the investment of time.”
Most of the projects were done at the homes of senior adults and others in the community
who were not able to do the work themselves. “They were most grateful for the help
given,” Duvall said. “We increased the amount of projects, so there was an even greater
impact felt in this community.” Projects ranged from raking leaves and weeding gardens
to washing cars and windows.
Tiger Serve Day is coordinated by a leadership team of students who work together
to organize and direct the event each semester. This semester’s leadership team, organized
by Duvall, included more than 20 students. Team chairs included: Devin Waters, a senior
mass communications major from Frisco, Texas, publicity; Lindsey Baker, a senior Christian
studies major from Benton, Ark., team registration and organization; Cami Jones, a
senior early childhood education and Spanish double major from Mansfield, Texas, projects;
and Seth Northcutt, a senior Christian studies major from Sulphur Springs, Texas,
logistics.
“I have been a part of the leadership team for seven semesters and have enjoyed every
minute of it,” Jones said. “Tiger Serve Day allows us to show the love of Christ and
show that we care for people. It is a day for the Ouachita family to get out of the
‘bubble’ and serve those around us.”
“Going out into the community to serve on Tiger Serve Day makes you aware of the needs
that are out there,” Duvall added. “You see firsthand that there are people with needs
that you can meet and it makes you want to do more to help others.” Since its inception
in 1997, Tiger Serve Day volunteers have logged more than 40,000 hours of community
service
“You get to hang out with friends, help other people and hear how much they appreciate
your help,” Cosh noted. “If you don't do Tiger Serve Day, you are missing one of the
significant events on campus and missing a blessing.”
Ouachita’s Alumni Office also worked with the Elrod Center to coordinate Tiger Serve
Day teams in Little Rock, Texarkana and Denver.
For more information about Tiger Serve Day or the Elrod Center, contact Judy Duvall
at [email protected] or (870) 245-5320.
By Amy Lynn Wentz
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