Students ‘Love on Lynchburg’ during service event

Liberty University students spread out across the Lynchburg community to participate in 15 service projects as part of the annual Love on Lynchburg Day (LOL), Saturday, April 11. The event was coordinated by Liberty’s Community Care Initiative (CCI), an extension of its Center for Christian/Community Service.

Students volunteered for projects such as a cleanup of Point of Honor Museum located in downtown Lynchburg, digging a waterline trench for a disabled resident, doing maintenance at the Parkview Community Mission, and readying a new Rush Homes facility for more than 40 disabled residents. Also, throughout the day, teams of volunteers rotated in assisting guests at the 150th Anniversary of the Surrender at Appomattox festivities in downtown Lynchburg.

“I think the Community Care Initiative is a great way to branch outside of the Liberty bubble,” said junior Megan Dishner, a Care Team Leader. “I’ve met tons of people in the Lynchburg community, and I’ve seen brokenness and people that I didn’t even know were struggling just five minutes away from the Liberty campus.”

Most students participating in CCI are not doing it for credit. CCI provides an opportunity to go above and beyond the 20 hours per semester that is required of all Liberty students during their sophomore, junior, and senior years through the Christian/Community Service Office.

“We really want to demonstrate the love and the work of Jesus Christ through volunteering. That’s why we’re here today,” said sophomore Connor Howell, a Care Team Leader.

Jim Haugan, a disabled United States Navy veteran, was a beneficiary of student genenerosity during LOL Day. A care team, in partnership with the Interfaith Outreach Association, helped him to dig a trench for a waterline replacement, a service he could not otherwise afford.

“I’m really astonished that (Liberty has) done this,” Haugan said. “I’m just amazed at the amount of work and everything that (they) are doing. I’m taken aback.”

CCI was launched in September 2012 and focuses on meeting the short-term, immediate needs of the community. Most weekends of each semester CCI sends out five to eight care teams of 10 students each, all led by students. Liberty responds to requests from residents seeking help for themselves or for their family and friends, and also partners with charitable organizations to help meet needs in the community.

• If you would like to become involved in Liberty’s CCI or have a project need, please contact Dr. Will Honeycutt at cci@lilberty.edu.