The following article appeared this week in the Elizabethtown (PA) college newspaper, telling of an event that will benefit one of our Grace Brethren churches.
Senior honors project benefits Katrina victims
Natalie A. Smeltz
News Editor
When senior Lindsay Rowe considered possible topics to cover for her Honors in the Discipline project, volunteerism was the first thing that came to mind.
“It’s important to do community service, especially since it’s part of our College’s principles,” Rowe said.
Over the past four years, she has participated in Into the Streets, helping at the Milagro House in Lancaster and the Activities Fun Fair, and took part in service projects with residence life every semester.
An Occupational Therapy major and music minor, Rowe was inspired to use the theme of volunteerism to organize a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the tragedy that destroyed parts of the South this summer.
Her project consists of a literature review, project execution, reflection and final presentation for faculty and staff.
The Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert, being held tomorrow, will raise funds that go to those in need. In order to make sure this happened, Rowe is donating all proceeds from the event to the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz’s Disaster Relief Fund.
“I chose this particular fund because I knew all the proceeds would go directly to the hurricane victims,” Rowe said.
The church has already taken two trips to Louisiana to help the victims who have been affected by the disaster. The money raised will be taken by the church and used for supplies necessary for people to rebuild their lives.
“It is important to give them supplies, but to also care for them spiritually and emotionally,” Rowe said of the church’s efforts. “I am hoping to go along with them on their next trip to the South.”
Rowe’s goal is to raise as much money and awareness for the cause as possible and make sure victims continue to receive what they need. Tomorrow’s concert, beginning at 7 p.m. in Leffler Chapel, will include a story from one Grace Brethren Church member who saw the Katrina destruction first-hand. It will also feature the music of student performers like junior Spencer Butz, junior Niki Tolbard, senior Mike Masters and senior Mia Smith. Melica, Phil Bensen and several Etown alumni will also contribute their talents to the cause.
Since Rowe has planned benefit concerts in the past, she is confident that it will be a success. Her involvement with Melica’s annual concert for domestic violence awareness has helped her with organization, professionalism and publicity. The process has encouraged her to continue efforts in planning student-run programs with positive results.
“By doing this, I hope to organize more events to raise awareness for different causes in the future,” Rowe said.
She also encourages others to get involved in as many service projects as possible.
“Everything you do to help someone else ends up helping you grow and become a better person,” Rowe said, “I have learned so much from organizing this and other events, but the most gratifying thing I’ve learned is how wonderful people can be.”
