ACU students have had the chance to give back to the Abilene community through ACU’s first annual Season of Caring.
The university concluded the collection portion of Season of Caring on Thursday. A truck collecting clothes, blankets, toys and non-perishable foods was parked on the corner of Judge Ely Boulevard and E.N. 16th Street throughout the week. Students rummaged through their dorm rooms to find used goods and purchased new goods from area retailers.
Jordan Miller, freshman math education major from Boerne, volunteered at the truck collecting people’s donations. She said she felt called to serve and help those in need during the holiday season.
“I love helping people and getting out there to work,” Miller said. “Love and Care Ministries is a really good cause, and we should help those in our community as much as we can.”
Oriana Gonzalez, senior marketing major from League City, is part of a group of marketing students helping with Season of Caring. She said giving students the opportunity to help those in need allows them to become more involved with the community.
“We’re pretty connected here in the ACU community,” Gonzalez said. “But as students we are a part of one of the biggest things in Abilene, so we need to focus on helping others.”
Brittany Ellis, sophomore family studies major from Fort Worth, and Dakota Easdon, sophomore accounting major from Cleburne, donated old clothes, stuffed animals and shoes at the truck on Wednesday. Ellis said working with organizations like Love and Care Ministries is important, especially during the holidays.
“Jesus gave to whoever he saw in need,” Ellis said. “God tells us to do what Jesus did, and this is just a small part.”
Easdon said participating in Season of Caring is not only helpful to the community, but also to those who decide to give.
“It leaves you with a good feeling inside,” Easdon said. “It’s nice to know that people in need can enjoy the things you don’t use.”
Scott Stewart, publicity officer for ACU’s Service Action Leadership Team, said he hoped the charitable goods collected in at the Season of Caring truck would help Love and Care Ministries with its charitable efforts this holiday season.
“Our truck is ACU’s version of Mission Thanksgiving,” Stewart said. “The stuff we collect at Arrow Ford will go with the stuff we collect.”
For students who missed the truck on campus, Love and Care Ministries will be collecting goods for Mission Thanksgiving at Arrow Ford all day Friday. Season of Caring runs through Dec. 15, and students, faculty and staff can volunteer or donate at any time.
More information about Love and Care Ministries can be found at lcmin.com, or by calling 670-0246. More information about the university’s participation in a Season of Caring can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
