Freshmen Ezechiel Tossou and Carter Linder sort boots during St. Ambrose University’s “Beecoming Ambrosian Day” Aug. 15. The two were part of a group that volunteered at the Clothing Center at Minnie’s Maison, a ministry of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
Freshmen from St. Ambrose University in Davenport donned their light blue “Beecoming Ambrosian Day” T-shirts and spread throughout the Quad-City community earlier this month providing service to a variety of nonprofit organizations.
“The purpose of Beecoming Ambrosian Day is to show all of our new students that outreach to the community is an important part of what it means to be Ambrosian,” said Nicky Gant, the university’s service and justice coordinator for campus ministry. Volunteering “can be rewarding and fun,” she said, giving students “a direct experience of service at an inspiring organization with their peers.” The annual service day Aug. 15 was part of welcome week.
More than 400 students spent the morning helping 19 community organizations. “Often, once our students experience the feeling of being a part of a mission to serve those in need, they are inspired to continue engagement in community service throughout their years at St. Ambrose and beyond,” Gant said. The vision and mission of nonprofit organizations working to address those issues inspire the students, she added.
Beecoming Ambrosian Day is also “a great way for our new students to let their guard down and begin to build relationships with one another. Often, there is time to chat and bond, while working side by side and sharing a positive experience with one another,” Gant said.
About 20 students (male and female) spent the morning at the Clothing Center at Minnie’s Maison, a ministry of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. The center offers free clothing and other items to those in need. Agencies and partners often refer clients, said Linda Lannan, a Minnie’s Maison volunteer.
As she led the male volunteers around the center, she set them up to sort and group winter boots, coats and other clothing as time permitted. The volunteer experience “is just as valuable to them as us,” she said. “They learn about different parts of our community that they may not be aware of.”
Volunteer Connie Moreno had the female students fill orders from partner agencies for clothing items, which they placed in bags for pickup. Student Dena Cox of Prophetstown, Illinois is not new to community service and enjoys giving her time to help others. However, she was not familiar with the free clothing center. “Their ministry kind of pulls at your heartstring.”
Bella Tornabana of Johnston, Iowa did not have a community service requirement in high school. “This is awesome to do good deeds for others. I plan to get more involved here.” Both students hope to return during the academic year to help at Minnie’s Maison.
Both Lannan and Moreno said the Quad-City community has been very supportive of the clothing center’s mission. The need for volunteers increases as the need for clothing, houseware, hygiene items, bedding and other items increases.
A shed outside the center is open for donations Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are especially needed Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon to sort and restock the rooms. “Just two hours (of volunteering), once a month and we would be grateful,” Lannan said.
For more information about the center visit www.clothingcenterqca.com or the Facebook page clothingcenterqca. Call (563) 362-0915 or email clothingcenterqca@gmail.com.
