By Kate Wright, Student Writer, and Mary Amelia Taylor
On the afternoon of September 9, Judson College and community partners at 16 project sites participated in a service initiative called Marion Matters. Approximately 180 Judson students, faculty, and staff members participated in the event, which was coordinated by Judson’s Office of Faith-Based Service and Learning.
Judson volunteers worked on outdoor cleanup, maintenance, and beautification at the Marion Cemetery, Perry County Public Library, Perry Lakes Park, and the historic first home of The Alabama Baptist newspaper. Many Judson groups worked with community partners at schools in Marion, from assisting with class prep and activities at Berean Head Start locations to cleaning grounds at Marion Academy and sorting and delivering school supplies to Francis Marion School. Judson’s Francis Marion teams also worked to set up the new library in the lower school wing and cleaned and decorated bulletin boards in the high school computer lab, hallway, and cafeteria. Other Judson teams assisted staff with various projects at the Sowing Seeds of Hope Job Training Center, and still others visited and participated in activities with Perry County and Southland Nursing Home residents.
Amy Butler, Director of Faith-Based Service and Learning, said that she hoped the event had “[given students] a glimpse of what Perry County has to offer.” Indicating that serving others is a fundamental part of Judson’s heritage and mission, Butler said that the event helps to show that Judson cares about its local community and that students are “willing and want to serve.”
Marion Matters is held annually, and has been since the creation of the Office of Faith-Based Service and Learning in 2005. For more information about Marion Matters or other FBSL projects in the Marion community, contact Amy Butler at (334) 683-5163.
Photos: Judson sophomore Kayla Oliver plays a game with a resident at Perry County Nursing Home; Marion Matters group photo