OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College Department of Athletics found success off of the playing field on Monday as they participated in numerous community service projects across the Owensboro community as part of the fifth annual Wesleyan Day of Service.
Throughout the day student-athletes contributed over 347 hours of volunteer work across Daviess County. Activities ranged from helping elementary school students to helping beautify campuses. The Panthers visited 15 organizations throughout the day including nine elementary schools. As an institution, Kentucky Wesleyan set a goal of 425 hours which was well surpassed at 455.75 hours, a new Day of Service record.
"Today we went to Southern Oaks Elementary School and worked with the kindergarten classes on reading. My favorite part was talking to the kids about the upcoming holiday season and hearing about what they had asked for," noted Wesleyan senior golfer Christian Tooley. "It is important to show the community The Wesleyan Way in action and how giving back to the Owensboro community is instrumental to what the four tenants of The Wesleyan Way strive for."
"To me, giving back is important because it gives me an opportunity to show the pride that I have in our community," commented Wesleyan softball student athlete Jaylin Tidwell. "We spent the morning working with the students on the alphabet and putting puzzle pieces together. We also helped them with their rhyming dance when they were putting rhyming words together."
Golf
Read "Peanut Butter and Jellyfish", "Arthur's New Puppy" and other books with kindergarten, first and second graders at Southern Oaks Elementary School
Football
Painted the copy room and storage room at Meadowlands Elementary School, assisted the YMCA in moving equipment and rang Salvation Army Bells outside Kroger
Baseball
Ate lunch with students at Audubon Elementary School and interacted with students at recess
Bowling
Adopted a Christmas Wish Child, partnering with Estes Elementary to provide Christmas gifts for a child at the Christmas Carnival
Cross Country and Track and Field
Worked on reading and math with numerous classrooms at East View Elementary School while assisting with holiday decorating
Softball
Helped kindergarten classes at Burns Elementary School with reading and math
Women's Basketball
Taught several classrooms at Newton Parrish Elementary School about reading and math
Adopted a Christmas Wish Child, partnering with Estes Elementary to provide Christmas gifts for a child at the Christmas Carnival
Tennis
Interacted with students during gym class to start the day at Hager Preschool and the Neblett Community Center
Men's Basketball
Helped campus facilities rake leaves
Wrestling
Worked on the grounds at Apollo High School
Volleyball
Spent the morning at Tamarack Elementary School playing with kids in the gym as well as making and bagging popcorn
Soccer
Created holiday ornaments at Highland Elementary School as well as decorated bulletin boards
The Wesleyan Way Day of Service is facilitated by the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) and aims to provide 425 hours of community service on the annual Wesleyan Day of Service. The service opportunities focus on the local Owensboro/Daviess County community with student groups and organizations, faculty, staff and alumni serving at local schools, fellow non-profits and on-campus beautification projects.
Kentucky Wesleyan will also participate in Giving Tuesday on December 3. The College has set a goal of raising more than $150,000 in 2019 which would push the cumulative five-year total to more than $750,000. New this year, donations can be made to an athletic program of your choice by visiting kwcpanthers.com and clicking on the donate tab .
Anyone can visit kwc.edu/give on December 3 to make a secure online gift. The Office of Advancement (Room 105 or 109 in the Barnard-Jones Administration Building on Wesleyan's campus) will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Giving Tuesday for those who wish to hand-deliver gifts. Contributions may also be made by phone by calling (270) 852-3142.
