?;>etlt 1}ea11 Setzvlce ANatzd ~etlt ~ean tzeco~nlz.es Chi O m0a ~l ~otz outstandln~ C htzlstla.11 setzvlce Servanthood plays an important role on the Harding campus, especially among social clubs. Each year, the Petit Jean Service Award is given to a club whose projects are selected for displaying the nature of Christian service to others. This year, the women of Chi Omega Pi are honored for their commitment to servant leadership in the community and on the Harding campus. Throughout the year, Chi Omega Pi focused on establishing personal relationships with the people whom they served. They participated in projects with the children from the Sunshine School in Searcy and the elderly ladies from the River Oaks Retirement Home. "Both groups ofpeople taught us so much about ourselves," Chi Omega Pi member Molly Flanigan said. "The kids at the Sunshine School encouraged us with their enthusiasm and joy, and the elderly ladies were more than happy to share their wis - dom and t alents with us." For several years, Chi Omega Pi members have taken a special interest in the children from the Sunshine School in Searcy. Each year, they hold a Christmas party for the children and help with the annual Special Olympics. In August, they volunteered to be the "dunkees" in a dunking booth to raise money for the school. They have also spent time with the kids by taking them to see a few of the campus movies, such as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "101 Dalmatians." "They are always excited to see us, and they demand lots of hugs and kisses," Vanessa Lee said. "It boosts their selfesteem to know that someone cares about them. We always look forward to seeing their happy faces." Whether it was saying hello to a familiar face or slapping a high five with a child on campus for an activity, Chi Omega Pi members shared a strong connection with the children. "We've really gotten to know the kids on a personal level and many of the girls have their own special child that they pay extra attention to," Lanae Wilson said. When one child's family had some special needs, members tried to offer a helping hand. They collected non-perishable food iterns to provide extra food for the family. Ch i Omega Pi members also visited the River Oaks Retirement Home to chat with the elderly ladies and to give them "feelgood makeovers" and manicures. According to Laura Wallace, the manicures gave the girls a chance to sit down with the ladies and really get to know them. "Not only does it make them feel beautiful , but they also love getting the special attention," Wilson said . "They are such interesting people who have incredible stories to tell us," Wallace said. "They have lived through everything that we will live through, and they have a lot to offer by sharing their lifetime experiences with us ." In the spring, Chi Omega Pi reached out to others outside of the community by getting involved in the women's prison ministry. They wrote letters ofencouragement to women in prison for minor offenses. "It's a good opportunity to share the love of Christ with people who are hurting and need something in their lives. Many have never heard of Harding or of us, but, hopefully, the letters will make a small difference in their lives," Flanigan said. In addition to their work with these groups, Chi Omega Pi served on campus in various ways. During the fall, they held a car wash to raise money for the World MissionWorkshop and participated in regular joint devotionals with other clubs. In the spring, they started a recycling campaign in Searcy Hall by putting bins in the dorm to collect paper and cans. According to Sandra Bouchareb, dorm manager ofSearcy Hall, this project is very worthwhile. "I believe it is important for students to learn the value of conservation and, hopefully, the project will gain support among the girls in Searcy Hall," she said. - Emily McMackin Chi Omega Pi member Laura Wallace treats an elderly lady at the River Oaks Retirement Home to a manicure. Chi Omega Pi members traveled to the retirement home every other week to visit with the ladies and paint their nails. Photo by Brian Hendricks. Petit Jean Service Award 247
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==