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SUMMARY: Evangel students volunteer with Convoy of Hope

Published on Aug 20, 2016 by Paul K. Logsdon

Evangel University students volunteered at 65 different homes in Springfield today, such as this one on Broadway, where one team is shown clearing brush and another preparing to paint. // PHOTO BY Paul K. Logsdon

 

(MORE PHOTOS BELOW)

This story was picked up by several local media, including KY3 (NBC-TV) News: http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Evangel-University-students-volunteer-time-with-Convoy-of-Hope-391176772.html

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Evangel University welcomed 465 new students from around the world on Friday, Aug. 19, and Saturday was their traditional community service day, in partnership with Springfield-based Convoy of Hope.

Students joined forces with six area churches through Convoy’s “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program, to volunteer primarily in the Zone 1 neighborhoods, starting at 11 a.m. and working through the afternoon.

“More than 450 homes were reached out to, and 65 projects surfaced for today’s service opportunity,” said Russell Gosselin of Convoy of Hope. Most of those projects were exterior in nature — clearing debris, painting, and general neighborhood betterment efforts.

“We are thrilled to once again work with Convoy of Hope to impact the Springfield community,” said Evangel activities director Christy Rowden. “Such service is an important part of the Evangel mission and experience.”

Church partnerships

Several of the churches were part of the Evangel University/Convoy of Hope work day last year, and members have been intentionally building relationships with their neighbors over the last 12 months.

Freshwater Church and House of Prayer will be having a BBQ in the park after the work day to celebrate what has been accomplished together and provide an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other better,” said Gosselin.

Evangel students also worked at the Fairbanks Community Center, 1126 N. Broadway.

That historic neighborhood elementary school is being converted to a community center. Several students worked on the renovation of an old classroom, while others cleaned and painted the former school’s playground equipment.

Life360 Church meets in the renovated auditorium at Fairbanks and is pastored by 2002 Evangel graduate Jeremy Hahn. Hahn grew up on the north side of Springfield and is also a Hillcrest High School grad.

Teams of Evangel students also worked at Shady Dell on East Division, Deliverance Temple on West Chestnut Expressway, and approximately 100 new students volunteered at the Convoy of Hope warehouse on South Paterson Ave.

For a detailed schedule of Evangel’s five days of EULaunch, visit:  http://www.evangel.edu/upcoming_events/2015/06/01/eu-launch/

PHOTOS BY: Paul K. Logsdon

New Evangel University students are ready to serve on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. // PHOTO BY: Paul K. Logsdon
Hundreds of new Evangel University students left by bus this morning to volunteer in Zone 1 neighborhoods of Springfield, in partnership with Convoy of Hope’s Neighbor’s Helping Neighbor’s program. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

2016-08.20-b Dumpster at Fairbanks
Two large dumpsters were stationed behind Fairbanks Community Center, and trailer-loads of trash cleaned from surrounding homes were deposited there throughout the day by Evangel University student volunteers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

2016-08.20-c ceiling in Fairbanks
Several Evangel University students and volunteers from Life360 Church worked on stripping an old classroom in the former Fairbanks Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

2016-08.20-e Brush on Lexington
Dead trees and brush were cleared by Evangel University students for several homeowners on Lexington. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

2016-08.20-f Maria McArdle
Clearing this fence row was a massive undertaking at a home just north of Tom Watkins Park. Maria McArdle, an Evangel University senior from Brookfield, Conn., lead a team of freshmen students. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

 

2016-08.20-g Greg Worthley, Brock Lockhart
Evangel University freshmen Brock Lockhart of Bolivar (gray shirt) and Gregory Worthley of Nixa provided some much needed paint to a home near Tom Watkins Park on Hoffman Ave. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)