On Saturday, April 27, approximately 240 Sterling College students, faculty, staff and community members of all ages joined together to serve the town of Sterling, Kan., by participating in the fourth annual Love Sterling event, a town-wide day of service. Overall, Love Sterling was a community effort with an estimated 1,500 man hours being given over the course of the day.

This year, the projects primarily included helping residents of Sterling with tasks in their homes or yards. In total, 30 projects were completed around town. Other projects included work at Studio 96, the community gardens, church properties and the city parks. The night concluded with a celebration at the Sterling Lake.

“The amount of work that was accomplished on the day of Love Sterling was incredible,” said Scott Rich, interim president. “It is awesome to see so many people from different walks of life, working side-by-side for the same purpose of serving our neighbors. I am excited to see this event in the years to come as the students continue to make a priority of living out servant leadership.”

Junior Jessica Smith, of Lindsborg, Kan., was one of the students who helped plan the event over last semester and worked to recruit volunteers and assign people to crews.

“Love Sterling was a success!” said Smith. “Seeing the students and community come together as one made all the hours of planning worthwhile. I was so impressed by how hard everyone worked and the positive attitudes they had through the whole day. This is one of my favorite events of the year and I can't wait to be a part of it next year.”

Many people contributed to Love Sterling 2013. Chartwells, the campus dining service, provided the meal for the celebration. Paul Taylor and Dorothy Mosier donated money to help with the cost of t-shirts for volunteers in honor of their father Lester C. Taylor, former chair of the theology department. The Student Government Association donated to help with supplies. The Reformed Presbyterian Church provided sack lunches for community volunteers. Dollar General donated water and granola bars for volunteers. Stutzman Refuse Disposal provided dumpsters around town and community members met a variety of needs including tools, trucks and supplies.

Check out photos on our Facebook page!