Helping Hands project permeates Hannibal

HANNIBAL – Students are back on campus at Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG). But before they made a dent in their homework or cracked a textbook, they took to the streets to show Christ’s love to the community.

As part of HLG’s “Welcome Week,” students took part in Hannibal’s Helping Hands, a service project designed to introduce HLG students to the Hannibal community. Several non-profit agencies, churches, nursing care facilities and businesses benefited from the project. A sample of the students’ work included repairing property, painting, cleaning, landscaping and reading to the elderly. All told, they provided more than 450 hours of labor to the community.

Tom Hufty, vice president for collegiate affairs at HLG, said this was invaluable for incoming students.

“Because of the emphasis HLG has made the last several years on missions, these new students [are beginning] their missions before they even take a seat in the classroom,” he said.

This fall’s project is significant because it marks its fourth consecutive year and signals total participation of HLG’s residential students.

“This year we accomplished our goal of all students on campus having volunteered in the community,” Hufty said. “‘Knowledge for Service’ is our college motto. We equip our students to use their gifts and skills to serve others. Our students want to make a difference, and they find that difference in serving others.”

Hannibal’s Helping Hands served Beth Haven Nursing Home, Hannibal Fire Department, Immanuel Baptist Church, American Red Cross, Hannibal Arts Council, Hannibal YMCA, Bethel Baptist Association, Clover Road Christian Church, United Way, Douglass Community Center, CHART Teen Task Force, Missouri Department of Transportation, Hannibal EV Free Church, Hannibal Public Library, Levering Regional Health Center, First Baptist Church of New London, and Luther Manor Nursing Home.