For 44 years and counting, Union students and employees have taken a day out of their schedule to serve the Lincoln community. As Project BRUSH, the first 10 years focused on painting private homes for elderly and disabled Lincoln residents. But for the last 34 years as Project Impact, the day has served to introduce students to the people and organizations that serve Lincoln all year, with the goal of sparking interest in long-term volunteer opportunities.
This year, the Union Adventist University campus family was joined by students from College View Academy and George Stone School, spreading across Lincoln to 48 sites. As students returned to campus and gathered under the clock tower for pizza, they were excited to share stories of their Project Impact adventure.
Korbin Peacock: Lincoln Bike Kitchen
“We put stickers on the bikes with the Lincoln Bike Kitchen logo and some other minor things to get them ready for the mechanics,” Peacock said. When asked if he would go back, he said, “Absolutely! It was actually a really, really cool place. I would not mind working there, actually.”
Natalia Leffler: Good Neighbor Center
“People can come to the Good Neighbor Center to get clothes, canned food, diapers, all sorts of things. We stocked shelves, transferred a pallet of diapers, and had an assembly line going. We also broke down boxes and cleaned up. It was really fun, and I want to go back there again. Shout out to the pantry manager, David! He was a great team leader.”
Natanya Razafindrabe: Capital Humane Society
“We cleaned out the barn at Capital Humane Society. The only animals left in the barn while we were working there was a duck and a lot of mice. We were leveling out the pine shavings, and we would scoop up the mice with everything else. I screamed a few times. The duck was cute; the mice were scary.” The group did get to spend time with more domesticated animals once they were finished in the barn. “We got to play with the dogs and see all the animals. I just wanted to hug them all, and I want to go back.”
Solace Giddings: Clinton Elementary School
“We were mulching at an elementary school, and it was a really great experience for me since I want to be an elementary teacher. I was able to see all the teachers taking the kids out to recess and teaching music lessons. It is really inspiring just to be able to work in that environment.”
Alfred Ssepuuya: People’s City Mission
“We helped organize and stock shelves for the People’s City Mission Help Center. It’s like a thrift-store adjacent sort of thing, except in the shop, everything is free. They accept all donations and recycle the excess stuff. I definitely would go back. It was a very nice experience.”
Camila Burgos: Friendship Home
“We were cleaning out the kitchen area and restocking cabinets with food and non-perishables. Friendship Home helps people get out of abusive relationships. It was really fun to be able to help create a safe and clean environment for them so they can focus on healing.”
Reuben Garcia: CEDARS Youth Services
“We weeded weeds. We got all of the stuff out of there. There is not a weed left in sight. We might have taken some of the good plants out too, but it’s very clean now.”
Makensey Lonergan: Union Manor
“Our Advanced Care EMS providers class went to Union Manor and checked residents’ blood pressures, SpO2, heart rates, and just talked with people. Tyler Parker played piano. The ladies told him he’s welcome to come back and play anytime. Everyone was wonderful. We talked to the manager about our class coming back once a month.”
Rene Adrian-Gaus: Campus Life
“We split up into three groups, and my group replaced basketball hoops and backboards. We were standing up in the bed of a truck to reach the backboards. It was a struggle finding the right screws and bolts, but we were finally able to put them together. They are nice and sturdy now. Another group pulled out weeds and did yard work while the third group cleaned inside.”
“Campus Life is for troubled teenagers who need an outlet. They reach out to public school students and invite them to come before or after school to play basketball, have Bible studies, and other activities. I think it would be very cool to go back and volunteer and help with their ministry. They also have an internship for a youth director who plans activities and does hands-on stuff.”
