Refugees from all over the world will join April 21 for an annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by ACU for the International Rescue Committee.
The student-led organization will provide transportation for the refugees. The event begins at 1 p.m. outside of the McGlothlin Campus Center, and it is open to everyone.
“It is our hope that by hosting our upcoming Easter egg hunt, we will provide the refugee families in the Abilene area with another opportunity for fellowship and to learn about American traditions,” said Jessica Backfisch, senior international studies major from Perkasie, Penn.
The refugees in Abilene are from all over the globe including Afghanistan and Congo. Backfisch, ACU for the IRC fundraising and development officer, said they expect an attendance of approximately 50 refugee children at the Easter egg hunt. They also hope to see more than a dozen ACU volunteers at the event.
Volunteers should gather between 12:45 and 1 p.m. in the library in the atrium. An ACU for the IRC representative will be there to advise those willing to volunteer. The volunteers on campus will manage the arts and crafts and hospitality for people as they arrive and wait for the Easter egg hunt.
ACU for the IRC was founded in 2008 and serves resettled refugees in the Abilene area by working with the local IRC office to participate in service projects, mentoring, cultural events and English teaching. They strive to promote awareness of IRC on campus and encourage students to volunteer directly with the refugee families.
“I love having the opportunity to share fun traditions from my childhood with the families that have only recently joined our Abilene community,” said Heidi Nobles, instructor of English. “It’s been a joy to volunteer with the IRC in Abilene, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed serving as a faculty sponsor with ACU for the IRC this year.”
The organization organizes the annual Easter egg hunts as well as Thanksgiving meals. They have also prepared donation drives each semester. The organization hosted refugee guests for an ACU baseball game and volunteers taught those attending pitching and batting basics beforehand.
More information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/acufortheirc.
