by MAC SLAVIN
Wartburg College students picked up their rakes and other supplies to work on service projects around Waverly after the day had been proclaimed Outfly.
“I think that really what we are doing as far as … calling our own Outfly is really bringing Wartburg back to its own mission statement…I think doing service is one of the best ways we could’ve done it,” C.J. Peterson said.
Students went to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waverly to help clean up. This summer, the basement of the church was flooded. As a result of the flooding they gutted the basement.
“Wartburg is important to us and we want to be important to them. We want [them] to be welcome to come back, the work [they’re] helping us do has been waiting and waiting for people to come in and volunteer, so we’re grateful,” St. John’s volunteer Lavonne Fischer said.
Many of the students volunteering today echoed Fischer’s thoughts and said service is what Outfly is all about.
“I chose to do service today, because I think it’s important to show the administration that this is more than just a day off of classes. It’s a day with a cause,” Zak Steib said.
Mandie Jones thinks service isn’t only a part of Outfly, but a part of Wartburg’s tradition.
“I think this is what Wartburg is all about – service. It’s one of our four pillars and it’s awesome that we have this great opportunity and a chance to give back,” she said.
Overall, Student Body President Travis Bockenstedt was happy with the number of people that turned out to the service days.
“That’s what Wartburg and Outfly is all about – a day of service, ‘Outfly for a Cause.’ Just to see the help we’re doing for them is a great thing we can do for them today,” he said.
Fischer was glad that the students could come out and help.
“On an average Sunday, we have somewhere between 10-15 Wartburg students, so we appreciate [Wartburg’s] help very much today,” she said.