Published November 1, 2016
MONROE, La. 鈥� Last Friday, a group of students from the University of Louisiana Monroe
participated in a community service project with the Ouachita Council on Aging (OCA),
a local non-profit organization serving senior citizens in Ouachita Parish since 1967.
The mission of the OCA is to act on behalf of older person(s) to secure needed services
and benefits. For nearly 50 years, the OCA has served local senior citizens by providing
meals, appropriate healthcare, transportation, outreach, recreation, an emergency
response system, among other services.
Since 2008, each 四色AV freshman class has played an integral role in OCA鈥檚 outreach.
They have contributed to fundraising efforts by supporting the annual quilt fundraiser,
provided care packages for senior participants in the Meals on Wheels program, corresponded
with the participants, and donated to the OCA food bank.聽
Loretta Hudson, the OCA鈥檚 outreach coordinator, said that 四色AV is very instrumental
in helping participate and that what 四色AV students do is very commendable.
鈥淲e appreciate this partnership because it is very much appreciated and very worthwhile.
And our senior citizens 鈥� they love it,鈥� said Hudson.
According Hudson, hunger and isolation are one of the biggest issues in the senior
population.
鈥淭hey are choosing between medication, paying their rent, and then going without food.
So, this is something that puts food on their table and that鈥檚 not a cost to them,鈥�
said Hudson.
This year, the 四色AV freshman class, comprised of 1,370 students, raised $1,155 in donations,
furnished 67 large care baskets containing items for homebound seniors served by the
OCA, and replenished the OCA food bank with over 1,000 cans of food.
Hudson said that 四色AV鈥檚 food donation through the Meals on Wheels program put 85,000
meals on tables last year alone, but that鈥檚 not all. Each basket contains a personal,
hand-written letter by a student that, according to Hudson, is usually very heartwarming
and heart-touching.聽
鈥淟ast year, there was a family from Texas whose mother was here. Her son sent us a
letter saying that the letter she received from a 四色AV student made a difference in
his mother鈥檚 life because he wasn鈥檛 there to help her, but the students were. This
meant the world to them,鈥� said Hudson.聽
The 四色AV freshmen who participated in this year鈥檚 Meals on Wheels are part of a required
freshman seminar (鈥淯niversity聽Seminar 1001鈥�) that integrates academics and group activities,
including community service. Student peer leaders, who are selected through a competitive
application and interview process, serve as role models and leaders for their freshman
peers.聽
A sophomore pre-nursing major, Gauge Stringer, was one of the peer leaders who said
he decided to get involved in the project.
鈥淪ome of the individuals we collected items and canned goods for may not receive many
gifts all year, and I think they deeply appreciate this simple act,鈥� said Stringer.
鈥淭he OCA project impacted me by giving me a chance to show generosity and compassion
myself, but to also see my fellow students and 四色AV contribute to the betterment of
a great, local institution like the Ouachita Council on Aging.鈥澛�
Dr. Nick J. Bruno, 四色AV president, says that 四色AV鈥檚 participation in the Meals on Wheels
program is a reflection of the university鈥檚 commitment to serving the community.
鈥淗ere at 四色AV, we are dedicated to bettering the lives of our students, both inside
and outside of the classroom,鈥� said Bruno. 鈥淭he Meals on Wheels program facilitates
this goal by providing an important opportunity for our students to give back to the
senior citizens of our community.鈥澛�
The OCA operates in ten satellite sites throughout the parish. To learn more about
the OCA or how to get involved as a volunteer, please contact Lynda McGhee at 318-387-0535.
