Lee dorms give back to Cleveland Community
Photo by Sydney Pressley.
On Monday, Oct. 14, Lee’s residence halls competed at Dorm Wars to win money for chosen service organizations.
Bowdle-O’Bannon (BOB), Nora-Simmons and Livingston Hall were crowned champions Monday night after an intense competition in various athletic events, including the traditional shopping-cart race.
Junior business management major Nathan Parris serves as a senior resident assistant in BOB and said his team has been anxiously anticipating Dorm Wars.
“After a few years of losing, we were all really anxious to try to win,” Parris said. “Overall, the guys on the team worked really hard and the crowd brought a lot of energy, so we were able to win.”
Parris said that BOB is proud to partner with Men and Women of Action as their service organization.
“After serving with Men and Women of Action, we saw that they do a lot of important work and we know they can do so much more with the $500,” Parris said.
Service has become an integral part of Dorm Wars’ purpose as the residence halls choose a cause and support local service projects. They also panel discussions for awareness and build relationships between students and the community.
Each residence hall actively supports their organization through service, prayer and any financial help possible.
The dorms’ involvement with these organizations in Cleveland leads students to reach out and continue serving on their own, even beyond their time in the dorms — the principle behind Lee’s advocacy for service.
Resident Director of Sharp-Davis Cheryl Craver explained these partnerships help broaden students’ views for the needs in this city when it is often overlooked.
“With each residence hall having a specific organization they partner with, it allows students an opportunity to cross paths with people they may have never interacted with,” said Craver.
According to Area Coordinator Katie Rutkowski, students benefit from these interactions with their service organizations.
Rutkowski said students have repaired buildings, decorated rooms to boost morale, interacted with children and organized funds for these organizations because of these projects — which organizations have come to love each year.
As Lee students continue to impact the Cleveland community, more organizations are eager to partner with these dorms in hopes of energizing passionate students.
“Organizations are consistently telling us how excited they are to work with our residence halls and how thankful they are for our partnership,” said Rutkowski.
As students move on to achieve their career goals, these connections through organizations have been helpful; they lead some students down a career path and assist in making valuable connections.
Rutkowski said she has seen several students go on with these organizations through internships and full-time positions.
Sophomore public relations major Angelia Bennett made a significant connection with WillowBend Farms through their involvement with Sharp-Davis Hall. As a former community builder in her hall, she had to help organize an event with the organization that was incredibly successful and foundational for a “life long relationship between WillowBend Farms and Sharp-Davis.”
Bennett works alongside the organization through marketing, events and running pop-up shops around Lee. She has been able to practice public relations with an organization she is passionate about and sees this as a possible career option.
“It’s amazing to do something you love to do for an organization you love,” said Bennett.
For more information about these service organizations, check out the links below.
Atkins-Ellis — New Hope Pregnancy Care Center
Hicks-Brinsfield — Backyard
Bowdle-O’Bannon — Men and Women of Action
Cross-Tharp — Project Free To Fly
Keeble-Dirksen — Bridge Refugee Services
Livingston East — The Caring Place
Medlin — Boys and Girls Club
New Hughes — Foundation House Ministries
Sharp-Davis — WillowBend Farms
Nora-Simmons — Girls on the Run
Storms-Brinsfield — Street Grace
