Students were given an opportunity to show the residents of Searcy just what the kingdom of God was all about during the 2010-11 school year. Celebrate: Kingdom, the Student Association theme for the year, kicked off with a service proJect that brought the students and the city of Searcy together. On Oct. 8 and 9, profits from T-shirt sales, a drive-in movie and other events ra1sed the money needed to furnish the Sunshine School, which provided for more than 70 special needs individuals. "The theme IS to show us we need to celebrate," SA president senior Steven Ramsey said. "We work in the kingdom of Searcy so we can show the kingdom of God." Since students lived in the community, attended local congregations and shopped at local grocery stores, the leaders of the SA thought Celebrate: Kingdom would be a great way to get students active in the place they lived for most of the year. "Searcy gives us so much," SA secretary junior Amanda Herren said. "We should want to give back to the people here." The weekend of service included the Relay for Life on Friday and a full day of service on Saturday. Many social clubs were responsible for certain services done by clubs like TNT who gave car washes. Many freshmen who were not yet in social clubs were given the opportunity to sign up for activities, working for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at the Searcy Children's Home, washing clothes for people at the laundromat, spending time with individuals in nursery homes and many other projects. There was a chance 2 3 4 organizations for students with all interests to be able to get involved. Local businesses were surprised and pleased to see students offering their services. "People were excited and surprised to hear from us," SA service director senior Soo Park said. "They were happy to see Harding students wanted to help them." The project proved people could be reached anywhere, especially JUSt outside campus. "I think it would be awesome if people could build relationships and become involved long-term," Ramsey said. Celebrate: Kingdom not only helped those in the community but taught the participants some valuable lessons as well. "I have learned more about myself, about servanthood and about what I want to do for God's kingdom after I leave Harding," Park said. "You need to learn what God has planned for you.Through serving through Celebrate: Kingdom, I want students to take time to ponder who they are in terms of Christ and his k1ngdom." Celebrate: Kingdom left students with the motivation to go and impact more of the world. Junior Charlene Nutt said she participated in the day of service by helping paint children's faces at a carnival at Berryhill Park along with her club sisters in Chi Omega Pi. "I think Celebrate: Kingdom is important because we live here for most of the year, and yeah, we have the 'Harding Bubble,' and that is great, but Jesus teaches us to get out of our comfort zones and show love to others," Nutt said. "Searcy is a great starting place to put ourselves out there and then go home to Harding." Mackenzie Lee
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