RAMSERVE: CIU students help out community through service work

COLUMBIA, (WOLO) — RamServe brought college students from Columbia International University out in the community for service projects Tuesday monring.

While the school’s mascot is a Ram, today ‘RAM’ stood for ‘Renewal Around the Midlands’.

“The beauty of RamServe is we get students out of the four walls of college and thinking about being adults serving other people and not just serving ourselves,” said James McCall, CIU assistant dean.

A day of community service, RamServe places Columbia International University students at different sites around the Columbia area. Students tackled cleanup and repair projects for various organizations.

“On a day like today, every little bit counts. You see people painting and doing construction,” McCall said. “Our students like working together and feeling more connected with each other.”

As part of one project, CIU students renovated an apartment for use by Reconciliation Ministries, a nonprofit which helps men overcome addiction through long-term residential recovery.

“We also get the opportunity to watch the Lord restore this community. We’ve seen a lot of community development take place here,” said Ashley Arrington, Reconciliation Ministries director. “A place that was once drug-infested and crime ridden is now being turned around and transformed. Volunteer work days like Ramserve help us to serve our community at a greater capacity.”

Students also helped out at the Salvation Army, Hope Church and more. They sanded, painted, landscaped and helped clean-up the area alongside their classmates. 

“It’s important to help out the community, glorify God through the work that we do and spread love,” said CIU senior Miles Raven. “It’s been amazing all three years.”

“This gives us a chance to go out in the community and see places we haven’t seen before,” said fellow student Joel Baumgarten. “It really puts things in perspective.”

“This is actually my first time painting,” said CIU freshman Paris Aqua. “I’ve never painted before. It’s actually a relaxing experience and doing it for the glory of God is even better.”

After a day of service, students enjoyed dinner and a block party on CIU’s campus.