By Peace Times Staff
William Peace University excels in the area of service. From Service Saturdays to Alternative Fall Break Trips, WPU encourages students to reach out and give back to the community.
WPU’s Peace and Community Together (PACT) sponsors the community service events on campus. These opportunities include events like volunteering at the Green Chair Project, painting pumpkins at Mayview Convalescent Home, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Salvation Army, participating in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer 5K, Stop Hunger Now, Oxfam Hunger Banquet, Alternative Fall and Spring break trips… the list goes on and on.
“My favorite volunteer experience through Peace has definitely been the alternative fall break trip the Appalachia Mountains last fall,” said Lauren Swilley, PACT President and WPU sophomore.
“The group that went made it so wonderful. We all fit so well together but most importantly, we helped a good cause. We fixed the home of this loving family. Every student should experience helping someone who is in such dire need, that won’t be able to pay them back.”
One Saturday each month, students also volunteer at the food pantry at Nurse Debbie Potter’s church, Raleigh Vineyard. “There’s about four different things we can do when we get there,” said Sharon Hackney, a WPU senior.
“We can watch people’s children while they shop around, help people shop, pack up groceries and help them carry it to their cars. It’s always a really good experience every time. Everybody’s so nice.”
Some WPU community service events take place on campus, like the Letters to the Troops event on Sept. 11. This event had a great turn out because it was in Belk Courtyard and students could participate on their own time. The student turn-out for the events vary, and students are more likely to participate when there’s incentive such as a free t-shirt. Another incentive? Free transportation.
“It’s great that WPU provides the transportation to these events,” said Hackney.
“It’s a good opportunity for students without cars who want to volunteer but can’t go out and do it on their own.”
PACT’s President this year has big ideas for the future of service at WPU.
“In the future, I would like to see more opportunities that can involve Peace College Alumni,” said Swilley.
“I think it is great when the current students and former students interact and build relationships. It gives current students a way to connect to the past of this amazing school.”