Sept. 30, 1999 (Sherman, Tx.) -- Repairing tornado damage in Oklahoma City -- helping Washington, D.C. food banks -- tutoring children in Atlanta -- this is how the Austin College Sesquicentennial will culminate: in a day of volunteer service by alumni from coast to coast as the college takes its 3rd annual Great Day of Service nationwide, October 16-17, 1999.
Alumni in 14 cities will contribute to their communities in the name of Austin College; this in addition to more than 400 students, faculty, and staff donating time to projects in Grayson County.
"It is appropriate to begin our next chapter with acts of volunteerism," said President Oscar C. Page. "Celebrating our history, it is clear that the role of individuals performing acts of service runs as a vital, continuous thread in the fabric of our college. Traveling around the country this year, visiting with alumni observing the sesquicentennial, it became equally clear that they share this common thread. From our founder Reverend Daniel Baker to the current freshman class, the tradition of service is strong. So expanding our annual Great Day of Service to alumni communities is a most fitting way to mark the occasion."
Austin College was founded October 13, 1849, and is the oldest college in Texas still under its original charter and name. With Sam Houston and Anson Jones, both presidents of the Republic of Texas, on its first board, and benefiting from the generosity of the family of Stephen F. Austin, the story of Austin College is the story of the state itself. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), the college has spent the year celebrating its 150 year tradition of "Learning, Leadership, and Lasting Values."
Editor's note: contact phone numbers for area coordinators are provided for your use, not for publication. Also note, a number of other sites (e.g., Denver, Colorado) may be added before the event. Call David Schulz, 903-813-2385, for the most current information.
1. Atlanta, Georgia alumni will be tutoring, reading with children and providing enrichment activities planned by the Hands On Atlanta Discovery Program at Parklane Elementary School, 2809 Blount Street, East Point, GA, Oct 16th from 9:45am to 12pm. For more information, contact coordinator Kathryn Waters Sax, 770 859-9966 or email at [email protected]
2. Austin, Texas alumni will be painting, sorting clothes, sorting food in Food Pantry at Manos De Cristo, 1200 Willow (512 477-7454), Saturday, October 16, 9am-12pm. Coordinator Laura Amoscato can be reached at 512 327-8157.
3. Dallas, Texas alumni will be either building habitat houses, or working with Medisend (a group that sends medical supplies to third world countries). They'll begin by gathering for breakfast at First Presbyterian Church, 408 Park Lane, at 8am, then move to the sites. Contact coordinator Brent Barry at 214 748-8051 or email: [email protected]
4. El Paso, Texas alumni will assist Habitat For Humanity at 5724 Hasan, Saturday October 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Contact coordinator Kevin White, 915 203-0426.
5. Fort Worth, Texas alumni will be preparing grounds for October 23 carnival for H.O.P.E. Farm at 867 Atlanta, Saturday October 16, 9p.m.-1p.m. Contact coordinator Melinda Veatch, 817 282-9181.
6. Little Rock, Arkansas alumni will be at Arkansas Children's Hospital, I-630 at Martin Luther King Blvd., performing various services on Sat. Oct. 16, 10am-2pm. Contact coordinator Michael Harper at (501) 227-0000.
7. Lubbock, Texas alumni will be at the John Murray Community Garden, 4820 W. 19th (at Vicksburg) to lay the base for a brick walking path, and to weed and plant bulbs Saturday October 16, 9am-12pm. Contact coordinator Davis Price, at home, 806 797-6320, or in the office at 806 792-6124.
8. Midland/Odessa alumni will be doing painting and sheet rock work at Habitat For Humanity project at 1209 Cottonwood in Midland, Saturday, October 16, 8:30am - 12 pm. Contact coordinator Bill Clark at 915 684-6542.
9. New York City, New York alumni will perform various duties at Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, 351 E. 74th ST., Manhattan, on Sunday, October 17, from 2-5pm. Coordinator Dana Minaya (212 222-0281) found they'd be more effectively used by the Church on Sunday.
10. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma alumni will be rebuilding a tornado-damaged home as part of the United Methodist Tornado Disaster Response (Bridge Creek Area site). Coordinator Mike Ruark may be reached at 405 732-7627; the team will gather at the Oklahoma City Community College (7777 S. May) parking lot at 7:30am Saturday, October 16.
11. San Antonio, Texas alumni will perform home repairs, painting, and yard work at House Of Neighborly Services, 406 N. Calaveras, Saturday, October 16, from 9am-12pm. Coordinator David West can be reached at home, 210 824-9358; or office, 210 554-5277.
12. San Francisco, California alumni will perform various services at the Glide United Methodist Church Food Bank (330 Ellis St.) Saturday, October 16, between 9am-12pm. Contact coordinator Eric Stockman at home, 415-641-4513 or office, 415 536-2625, or by email at [email protected]
13. Tyler, Texas alumni will also be doing construction at a Habitat For Humanity site, 700 Barron St. (corner of Barron and Garden Valley). 10am-2pm. Contact coordinator David O'Neal at 903 597-6317, or 595-6630.
14. Washington, D.C. alumni will be at the Capital Area Food Bank (625 Taylor St. S.E.), sorting food and providing other services, Saturday, October 16, 1pm to 4 pm. Coordinators for the project are Tim Kennedy ([email protected]) and Jean E. Jones ([email protected]).
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