Quarter-Century of Service
Student-initiated ministry meets needs through words and deeds
Natalie Lester
Issue date: 2/26/10 Section: News
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"AO started in August 25 years ago, so we're celebrating for a full year," Director Jean Washam said. "The big even will be the banquet on March 12th. At that point, we're hoping to have about 500 people in attendance and we're just going to recognize what all God has done. Most of the people in attendance will be volunteers that have experienced our work first hand, so it will be a time to fellowship, a time to recognize where we've come from, and dream about where we're going."
AO provides numerous services to the community including a food pantry, clothing ministry, home repair, and Samaritan House. Jim Wilson and a handful of other C-N students started the ministry in August 1984.
Washam compliments the college and the student leadership on remaining an active part of the ministry throughout the years, even as it has become more community based.
"Carson-Newman students started this ministry and we never want to forget that," Washam said. "We have intern students through Psychology, Religion, [and] Human Services divisions. We partner with the Bonnor program and Judicial Services, which means if you get a parking ticket you get to come down and split fire wood or hang up clothes. Then we always have the students who aren't benefiting from it at all in the classroom or some other sort of requirement that has been placed on them, but they just generally want to come down and serve."
Bonnor scholar Destry Cloud has dedicated several hours during his college career to AO. Cloud believes his time spent at the service keeps him connected to the world outside of college life.
"It has helped me keep the real world in perspective," Cloud said. "IN college, you get too busy in studies - or, for me, too much into theatre - you just loose track of what's going on in the real world so going there I get to interact with people who are in that world. It keeps me from getting too far from where the world really is and it keeps me in touch with the community here, too."
Cloud believes every hour he logs serving at AO affects his life.
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