Team-Work is the Best Work

Helping Out in the Community

Need a lift?!  Freshman Anna Basil picks up
Senior Tam Meuwissen to reach the really high spots!

Some of the Gustavus Women's Soccer team got their hands dirty over the weekend and pitched in to help out an elderly couple in St. Peter.  Tam Meuwissen who sparked the interest from the team writes about their few hours giving back:

"I am part of a group called the One Time Volunteers. Basicallywhat happens is you put your name on a sign-up sheet that is posted right outside the Center for Servant Leadership and you are put onto an email alias with a bunch of other people from this group who want to volunteer, but don't want to commit to a specific volunteer group. Anyone in the community can email the organizer of the group, Sara Sletten, and then she forwards these individual volunteer opportunities to the entire email alias. Anyone who is interested in volunteering for that certain event or opportunity can email them back directly to figure out more in depth volunteer details. 

Raking the day away!  Sophomores Caroline Olsen
and Heather Goff use their "guns" to get the job done!

This couple has emailed several times throughout the year asking for volunteers to help them do some basic yard work and upkeep of their house. They are both in their 80's and are former Gustie professors.  I thought it was a great opportunity now that the weather turned nicer!  

Weed away.  Sophomore Val Belanger and
Freshman Anna Basil also happen to be really good at weeding!

When we were there, we raked leaves, pulled weeds, and washed the outside of their windows. These two have a lot of trouble getting around, especially since Bill has recently had surgery on his back. We only stayed for about an hour but we accomplished a lot with the eight of us that were there. The old couple really appreciated it and made us cupcakes after we were done. We sat around for about ten minutes and just listened to them talk about their experience at Gustavus and how they came to live in St. Peter. They were extremely nice and one of the cutest old couples I have ever seen. 

This little effort meant the word to this couple. You could tell by the way they praised our work. This probably not only made their day, but their entire week, and we were more than happy to do it!"

-Tam Meuwissen, Senior

All smiles!  Happy to help, Karlye Smith washes some
windows in the front of the house.