Lending a big hand: Vacation Bible schoolers help out at Salvation Army center

For 11-year-old John Eddings, helping others just feels good.

This week, John and more than 100 other fourth- through sixth-graders from Christ United Methodist Church's vacation Bible school are volunteering at the Salvation Army's Purdue Center of Hope.

The community service is done in keeping with the Bible school's theme for the week, "Friendship Trek: Jesus Our Forever Friend."

Christ United Methodist wants to teach the significance of serving others, said Abbye Pates, mission associate for the church.

"That's the foundation to following Christ," Pates said. "Taking care of others and putting others' needs before your own."

Each grade level will have the opportunity to volunteer for one hour per day this week.

The sixth-graders began Monday by breaking into two groups. Girls filled toiletry bags for the center's single women's complex, while boys potted plants to give the center a "livelier feel."

Cherita Hopper, director of volunteer services for the center, explained to them the importance of what they were doing.

"A lot of women who come here don't have soap and shampoo or lotion, so we have to give them items," she said of the toiletry bags.

"We go through these pretty quickly, so we need your help."

Like John, Lindsey Jordan, 11, agrees it feels good to volunteer but she said it's also sad to know there are people who need help.

"It makes me feel grateful for what I have," she said.

Volunteering goes beyond doing a good deed for Kate Stoddard, 11. For her, it's practice in a future vocation. She wants to be a missionary.

Other Bible camp activities include field trips, crafts, skits and even a carnival.

But the focus is on the importance of being a Christian.

The willingness to help others is already there, Pates said.

"If you foster that at a young age, then they can continue when they get older."

Purdue Center of Hope
Location: 696 Jackson.

Shelters: The Zone, a single women's shelter; the Emergency Family Shelter; Renewal Center, a complex for chemically addicted women and children.

Services: 3-star licensed childcare center, Angel Tree holiday gift program and a community intake and assessment program.

Contact: Cherita Hopper, 543-8586.

By Lani Lester
The Commercial Appeal
June 18, 2008