Northwestern Health Sciences University serves its local community

August 18, 2010 — Chiropractic students, staff, and faculty at Northwestern Health Sciences University held its second annual Appreciation and Service Day July 15, 2010. The university community spent the morning at various volunteer locations throughout the Twin Cities area, followed by an appreciation barbecue on campus in the afternoon.

“We created Appreciation and Service Day in order to serve our local community and our other partnerships within the Twin Cities area,” said Emily Tweed, PhD, associate vice president and dean of students at Northwestern. “This is an excellent opportunity for Northwestern to make a positive impact in our community, as well as promote an important aspect of our mission, community service.” 

This year more than 250 participants volunteered with 15 different organizations, including: Aliveness Project; Animal Humane Society; Can Do Canines; Cornerstone; Diapers for Babies in Tanzania; Feed My Starving Children; Goodwill; H.O.M.E; Marian Center; People Incorporated; Pillsbury House; PRISM; The Salvation Army/Harbor Light Center; Second Harvest; and Washburn Elementary School.

This year, Chuck Abbott, coordinator of admissions advising at Northwestern, helped repackage food items that will be distributed to food shelves. “I think opportunities like this are all part of the community of caring that we have developed at Northwestern,” said Abbott. “It’s great that we have such high participation.”

The university encourages students and employees to volunteer, so classes and clinics were closed on Appreciation and Service Day. Also, university offices closed at noon so all employees could enjoy the barbecue and then take the afternoon off.

“This activity is successful because so many people from our university volunteer their time to participate in these invaluable service opportunities,” said Dr. Tweed. “The committee that organized the day is very dedicated and has worked hard to create meaningful opportunities for our community and those we serve.”

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/index.html