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-Community Service
Events-
Monday, September 4, 2006:
Johnson
City, NY --
The campus
of Broome County's only faith-based higher education
institution, over the past two months, has had an historic
opportunity to partner with Samaritan's Purse and assist
communities affected by the June 2006 flood.
Davis
College has been the base of operations for a team of relief
workers, including leaders from Samaritan's Purse,
volunteers from around the nation and Canada, local
churches, and chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response
Team. The College has risen to the challenge of going
Beyond Belief through actions to help people in their
time of need. Two months after the 'Flood of 2006', calls
are still coming in from people who need help -- and Davis
College is answering.
The College
redefined "Labor Day" on Monday, September 4, 2006 by
cancelling classes and heading out into the field under the
supervision of leaders from Samaritan's Purse. 140 students,
faculty and staff worked together in five different teams to
help families in Bainbridge, Sidney, and Montrose, PA. The
work included cleaning out basements, removing debris,
tearing out floors and walls, and most importantly, sharing
the love of Christ with hurting people. "It was great to
team up with students and help others in their need in the
Name of Christ," said Dr. Jerry Franz, librarian and
professor at Davis.
After the
work was complete at each site, the teams gathered with the
homeowners for a time of prayer. Each family was also
presented with a Bible, signed by all of the volunteers. One
student at the Bainbridge worksite commented that, "I lived
in the next town over (from our worksite). Once my town was
cleaned up, I thought the flood 'was over'. For the woman we
helped on Labor Day, the flood was not over. She was
so positive throughout our time at her house that she kept
me going through my day."
For 107
years, Davis College has combined excellence in faith-based
education with hands-on experience. Today, the College
continues helping its students learn about the world around
them by actively working to improve it. The experience may
be ministering in a church Sunday School, teaching in an
urban school setting, counseling in a rehab facility,
working in a social welfare agency, or volunteering for
disaster relief in our community -- in every way, Davis
College is taking faith Beyond Belief.
| The day began early
for the kitchen staff. With help from other college
personnel, they packed lunches for 140 people
heading out on the work crews with Samaritan's
Purse. Pictured: Sharon Payne (Human Resources),
Marsha Fuller (Receptionist), Kelli Perry (Cafe
Manager), and Sheila Flipse (Chair of the Counseling
Department). |
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| Breakfast was served
to all team members. |
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| Samaritan's Purse
provided t-shirts for the entire group. |
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| Students Cannon
Mentzer, Britney Rowe, Joel Bantle, and Evan
Hickernell were ready to get to work... |
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| Claus Burchert, base
leader of the team from Samaritan's Purse at Davis
College, addressed the group and provided
instructions for the day. |
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| Nick Costello, a
chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team,
prayed with the group before they left campus. |
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| And they were off... |
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| Davis College was
grateful to have a bus from Calvary's Love Church to
transport students, as well as a van from Union
Center Christian Church. |
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| This team spent time
at a house in Sidney, NY. Every part of the main
floor had to be torn up and removed. |
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| Tearing up
floorboards... |
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| Jared Mack hauling
debris... |
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| Heather Morgan
removing nails... |
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| Tom O'Connor,
Athletic Director, and Spencer Key, Registrar,
worked with students to remove flooring in the
kitchen. |
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| Scott Jensen is shown
here working on the removal of the kitchen counter.
Scott was featured this summer in the Press & Sun
Bulletin as an entrepreneur. He owns his own
business as a handyman to pay for his education at
Davis College. |
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| President George
Miller helped transport debris after it was removed
by Stephanie Haight. |
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| After the flooring
was removed, small particles were swept up. |
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| After the day's work
was finished, the group returned to campus for a
picnic and time of fellowship. |
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| Local volunteers have
been a tremendous help. Here, two volunteers from
Harpursville Baptist Church are shown with Mrs.
Sheila Flipse and Miss Joan Oakley. |
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| Students and staff
were impacted by this special day of ministry with
Samaritan's Purse in ways they will never forget.
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Read More about the Samaritan's Purse
Disaster Relief Team and the Billy Graham Rapid Response
Team at Davis College
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