Agape Day – Carpe Agape – “Seize the Love”
September 20 was AGAPE Day 2016, the one day during the fall semester at Oakwood University when classroom instruction is officially set aside so that students, employees and administrators can “depart to serve” the Huntsville/ Madison County area, and learn in the “community classroom.” Oakwood has been participating in AGAPE Day for over 10 years.
The day began at 8:45 a.m., when approximately 675 volunteers in their bright yellow t-shirts boarded the buses to be transported to work sites in the greater Huntsville area. Work projects included painting, planting, weeding, general cleanup, conducting science experiments with elementary school children, and assisting senior citizens.
The number of work sites totaled 35 this year, including the Downtown Rescue Mission, CASA Community Garden, the Alabama Constitution Village, Highland Elementary School, the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Willow Run Towers, Habitat for Humanity, Morris Elementary School, and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
AGAPE Day was first launched in 2005 as an initiative between the Division of Academic Administration and the Freshmen Studies Department, and is now coordinated by the Office of Spiritual Life. Chaplain Kimberly Mann, AGAPE Day Coordinator, shared that the day “was a blessing to both the individuals who rendered service as well as to those who were beneficiaries. Community members and service recipients appreciate the way that Oakwood tangibly shows our commitment to the value of service.”
You can search social media for AGAPE Day photos at #AgapeDay2k16 and #agapeday16
