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National Day of Service - 2012

Joplin "On Fire" for Service is a grassroots, "pay it forward" service initiative sponsored by MSSU's Resource Development Center. In honor of the National Day Of Service and Remembrance, Joplin "On Fire" for Service encompasses national and local outreach.

The 2012 national service platform, in coordination with New York Says Thank You Foundation and Stars of Hope Project, featured a trip to flood-ravaged Minot, North Dakota. The local service platform included projects to help Joplin's continued recovery efforts after the May 22, 2011, tornado and National Day of Service projects.

To find out more about the "Joplin 'on fire' for Service project, read our mission statement.

The 2012 Program

Kick off Rally

On Wednesday, September 5, a rally was held on the MSSU Oval as a fitting send-off for the volunteers on the "Joplin 'on fire' for Service" trip to Minot, North Dakota.  The rally participants helped load the bus, decorate windows, and provide encouragement to the travelers.  The MSSU Drum Line and Cheerleaders helped provide a festive atmosphere.  The whole event was broadcast LIVE on the KSN "Living Well" news program with Gary Bandy.

National Service Project

Volunteers from Joplin traveled to Minot, North Dakota to take Stars of Hope to the flood ravaged valley.

Their aim was to pay for-ward the compassion shown to Joplin since 5/22, to help another community recover from a natural disaster, and to demonstrate Joplin's "Miracle of the Human Spirit" to another community in need.  The volunteers left Joplin on Wednesday, September 5 and returned on Sunday, September 9, 2012.

Local Service Projects

Three local projects took place the week of 9/11. President's Council approved up to 8 hours of volunteer time during the week for faculty and staff, with supervisor approval, to encourage campus members to participate in the week's activities.

Project 1 – Habitat for Humanity

A Habitat for Humanity work day for MSSU faculty, staff and students was held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. The day was part of Habitat for Humanity's continuing effort to build houses in Joplin to benefit victims of last year's tornado.  Volunteers helped apply siding to two homes and paint the interior of another. 

Project 2 – Operation Goody Bag

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers were encouraged to stop by the Lion's Den to decorate a Goody Bag to be sent to Military Personnel and First Responders. The goal: help prepare 2,000 bags for "Operation Goody Bag".  Several faculty members also encorporated the project into their classrooms.  Many of the volunteers for this project were community members who accessed the Goody Bags through community groups, schools and faith-based organizations.

Project 3 – Historic Murphysburg Preservation

On September 13, 2012, rain prevented the volunteers from working with Historic Muryphysburg Preservation to help the Handy AME Chapel. This historic church is located at 4th & Pearl Streets in Joplin. This is a project that would have continued renovations started last winter.  We're looking forward to a sunny day to finish the work.

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