The start of a new school year always includes anxieties and concerns about new friends and new places. Lebanon Valley College attempts to alleviate those anxieties with their Freshmen Orientation program. Included in the many activities is a time for them to do community service with non-profit organizations throughout the community. Previously, the organizations came to campus and worked with the freshmen there. This year for the first time, the students left campus to go do their community service on site.

On August 28, 2016, 77 LVC students, 69 freshmen and 8 peer mentors (upper classmen) traveled to the Northwest District HUB at Cleona, Immanuel United Methodist Church. The HUB is a branch of Mission Central, the mission warehouse in Mechanicsburg, PA. A variety of projects were tackled by the group which was assisted by 11 members of Immanuel UMC in the projects.

The day was a success in the camaraderie and sharing that all 88 people experienced. But the group accomplished much in helping those in need throughout the area and the world.

Accomplishments included:

• Preparing, sorting, and assembling 20 Cleaning Buckets for distribution in flooded areas.
• Cutting fabric and assembling 33 Sewing Kits.
• Cutting flannel, cutting plastic, taping razor blades, and measuring string, and assembling 262 Birthing Kits.
• Washing, drying, and removing labels from 236 Pill Bottles that will go to Africa through the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.
• Preparing towels nail clippers, and other items to assemble 170 Health Kits.
• Cutting cloth for the future sewing of 88 School Bags.
• Making and designing 72 personalized greeting cards for veterans at the VA Hospital.
• Cutting plastic bags into 12 large Plarn balls for the knitting or crocheting of sleeping mats.
• Cutting fresh vegetables, cutting chicken, and preparing 50 quarts of chicken vegetable soup for the FreeNoon Meal at Lebanon Christian Ministries.

Thanks to all who made this possible.