By Mary Deardeuff
“Enter to learn, go forth to serve,” is BYU’s motto.
On Saturday, new BYU students will have the opportunity to put the motto to work in a huge service project put on by the New Student Orientation office.
Tami Clark, 20, an August graduate in community health from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is a New Student Orientation coordinator.
“Our goals are to tie 100 lap quilts and 100 large quilts, donate 50 pints of blood, paint 2,000 toys and rip the seams of 4,800 airline seat covers which will be made into items, such as bags, for those in need,” Clark said.
Clark said there will be about 7,000 new BYU students this year, and she expects about 4,500 to come to the service project, taking place in the Wilkinson Student Center.
She said the opportunity is mainly geared for the Y groups of incoming freshman, however if others wanted to come they could.
“We did a service project last year when they made up their own stuff, but this year we are providing things for them to do,” Clark said.
Clark said she hopes the experience will show the new students that service projects are not just a one-day thing but ongoing.
“However,” she said, “we are getting a lot done in one day.”
Jessica Harden, a sophomore from Denton, Texas majoring in marriage, family and human development, was a Y group leader Summer term.
“I felt that the service projects really unified the Y groups and opened their eyes to what BYU is really all about,” Harden said.
Clark said this service project is a reflection of the many opportunities to serve at BYU.
Janeal Thornock, 20, a senior from Brigham City majoring in public relations is a service coordinator for the Jacobsen Center of Service and Learning.
Thornock said it is important for freshmen to get into service.
“It gives them something bigger than they are to get involved in. It also provides a social base, for they become friends with those they are working with,” Thornock said.
Thornock said it helps them catch the service and spirit of BYU, whether they are serving with BYUSA or the community.
“Now is the time for us to do service,” Thornock said, “and there are thousands of opportunities on campus.”
