Last month, Campus Compact began re-scheduling the orientation service projects that were postponed in August due to the flood. “There were many organizations that were counting on the freshman help, so I am glad we found an alternative way to meet their needs,” said Katie McGee, AmeriCorps VISTA and coordinator of the project. Through the end of the school year, Campus Compact will continue to organize Sweet Service Saturdays once a month to help the community.

Kaitlyn Burgei, Asae Ueda and Alicia Aldrich move carpeting off the floor of the parsonage’s barn to vacuum the floor.

Kevin Mueller, Viet Nguyen and Raymond Fitzgerald take a break from putting in a ceiling.

Oct. 27 was not only the first Sweet Service Saturday, but also Make A Difference Day. UF students were transported to Hope Temple to help with landscaping and cleaning. Upon arrival, the students were greeted warmly by Pastor Claire Mortensen. Throughout the morning, students not only made a difference by cleaning and organizing the parsonage’s barn and the church’s property, but also made new friends.

After the work was completed, students were invited back to the Alumni Memorial Union to share lunch and reflect on their experience. Many students expressed the importance of what they did for the congregation of Hope Temple.

“The jobs that we did seemed small, but for one person or two people, the work wouldn’t have been done. It feels great to know that I made their lives so much easier,” said student Alicia Aldrich. Pastor and Mrs. Mortensen expressed their appreciation and gratitude for “all the industrious and willing hands that came to help.”

Campus Compact encourages students and student organizations to take part in the next Sweet Service Saturday Nov. 17. For additional information, please contact Katie McGee, AmeriCorps VISTA, at extension 4462 or mcgeek@findlay.edu.