Students Share through Service Work

West Liberty University has lots of clubs and activities on campus to satisfy the interest of just about any student.
Coordinated by the Office of Student Life, one of these is Campus Ministry, which is active throughout the year and offers lunches, Bible studies, service work, religious and social events to help students as they adjust to living away from home during their college years.
According to Diann Nickerson, director of Campus Ministry, “God continues to be present on the Hilltop in all kinds of ways! Students asked early in the spring semester if they could participate in a service project, so we worked with Kristi Wilkerson, the director of the Upshur Parish House, to organize a work team after the semester finished.”
Four willing students traveled to Buckhannon with Nickerson, where they toured the house and buildings and learned about the neighbors served by the outreach that seeks to provide basic necessities and connections to all residents of the area. The students who participated included: Caitlin Reynolds, Haley Blakemore, Logan Riggenbach and Veronica Huggins.
“We stayed in the residence halls at West Virginia Wesleyan and the students had an opportunity to work in the Clothes Closet where they sorted and organized all the donations. We also packaged individualized portions of rice, oats, and laundry detergent for the folks who would be visiting the House the following week.
The students who participated in the end of semester service trip include from left (top) Caitlin Reynolds, Haley Blakemore, (lower step) Logan Riggenbach and Veronica Huggins.
The team also helped First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon with canning strawberry jam. The students learned the process and helped to make hundreds of pints of jam to be sold at the annual strawberry festival.
Students also got to share a meal with Bishop Steiner Ball and the other leaders on Tuesday evening at Thyme Bistro in Weston where they shared some of their personal experiences and talked about WLU Campus Ministry.
“This trip provided an opportunity for our students to see the needs of folks around the state, participate in being a servant to those in need. It also strengthened friendships. As we reflected on our experiences on the way home, Caitlin said she was unaware of such need and was happy to help in a small way and Hailey said she was thankful to learn about all the services the Parish House provides for its neighbors including food, clothing, utility assistance, and a loving, safe environment to just hang out if needed.”
Overall, it was a successful close to the 2022 – 2023 academic year.
“The young women asked to go again next year!” said Nickerson, who joined WLU Campus Ministry about two years ago. For more information, please contact Nickerson at [email protected].