December 13, 2002

LOCAL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

Local students provided much-needed help to public agencies in the five-county area.

90 students at Iowa Lakes Community College, completed work such as moving offices at the Spencer Hospital; raising money to benefit the Emmetsburg domestic abuse shelter; upgrading the auditorium at the Estherville Middle School; helping raise money for the Mallard swimming pool; and, assisting at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa.  In fact, some students took it upon themselves to find their own “jobs,” such as improving a cemetery or gathering canned food items for food pantries in their hometown.

Students from the Emmetsburg Campus of Iowa Lakes fanned out in late November to lend their hands to provide community service.  

“This project gives the students a chance to learn more about how fortunate they are,” said Gary Schmidt, instructor/coordinator of the Construction Technology Program at Iowa Lakes.  “It also offers an opportunity to get started in a lifetime of volunteering.”

Again this year, the project received an ‘added bonus’ with a contribution of quilts made by the Riverside Club of Graettinger.  The quilts will be given to area nursing homes.

“The women in the Riverside Club made these quilts specifically for the students to donate to those in need,” said Bill Lapczenski, Student Senate Advisor.   

Student senators organized the cooperative effort.  Programs which had students participate included Auto Collision and Paint Technology; Construction Technology; Motorcycle, Marine and Small Engine Technology; and Welding Technology.  This was the third year students from Iowa Lakes have assisted in a project of this kind.

“We’re proud of the young people and their efforts to give back to their communities,” Lapczenski said. “Volunteerism is something that will hopefully continue to be a part of their lives for years to come.”