By Kimberly Prather, Student Reporter
The spirit of giving is in the air with the Big Purple’s annual service event with Noah Project residents.
The Noah Project is an emergency center for victims of family violence where women and children are given a place to stay, are mentored and receive help to find jobs. The Noah Project’s mission is advocating for victims and working to end family violence, according to the Noah Project Web site.
Through offices in Abilene and Haskell, the Noah Project serves 10 counties in West Central Texas.
The annual service project, entitled Christmas for Kids, has been a long-standing tradition for the Big Purple. The Big Purple partners with the Noah Project and provides families who would otherwise have no Christmas with a great holiday.
Christmas for Kids consists of purchasing gifts with the money the band raises and then hosting a Christmas party where the gifts are given to mothers and children residing at the Noah Project.
The Christmas party will take place on Dec. 8 in the band hall.
Ryan Rampton, senior youth and family ministry major from Naperville, Ill. and the Big Purple president, remembers his experience with the service project.
“I remember seeing a 3-year-old boy open his presents a couple years ago at the party and being so happy to have a new toy,” Rampton said. “These kids don’t have a lot to be excited about, and being able to bring some joy into their difficult lives is amazing.”
This year, the Big Purple would like to do more service projects, said Jessica Sneed, senior marketing and management major from Keller and vice president of the Big Purple.
“The Big Purple’s theme for the year is ‘Into the World,’ and a lot of thought has been put into social events within our unique community,” Sneed said. “Our goal of the Big Purple is to be Christians, to be Christ-focused while building community. A service project is a perfect way to do that.”
This year the Big Purple is currently at $1,100 in fundraising, and the goal for the year is $1,400. On Monday, a collection was taken for the Noah Project after Chapel.
If students know someone is being hurt by family violence, the Noah Project can help. Contact Jessica Sneed for more information at jls03i@acu.edu.
