The less fortunate are usually the ones being served, but Saturday, they were the ones doing the serving.
The Bennion Community Service Center, in collaboration with refugee families at the Hser Ner Moo Center in South Salt Lake City, made Halloween decorations for children
at Primary Children’s Medical Center who are staying there during the holiday. The project was part of the Fall Multicultural Festival, where students and refugees decorated
pumpkins, colored Halloween cards and made pinecone ornaments for the medical center.
“It feels good to know that everyone can contribute, especially those who are usually served,” said Genevieve Dubois, a freshman in international studies.
About 100 pumpkins8212;decorated as anything from SpongeBob SquarePants to the Utah drum and feather logo8212;were decorated and delivered to the medical center. About 120 cards were colored and also sent to the center.
“These families are refugees, and we wanted to give them an opportunity to serve,” said Erica Sellers, a senior in accounting.
Mariah Anderson, an undeclared freshman, said she came as part of her Service LEAP class and had fun making cards with the families.
“I think it’s great,” she said. “I think it’s good for (refugees) to give back a little bit.”
Children and parents enjoyed decorating, but the most popular activity at the festival for the children was the face painting.
Kyle Pulin, a junior in finance, moved here from Maine, where he said there isn’t a lot of diversity. He said he liked how the service project’s participants were so diverse because
the volunteers get to work alongside many different cultures and backgrounds.
The Bennion Center has seen good turnouts for each of its projects so far this year, and this project was no exception. About 80 people came to help, Pulin said.
Overall, the project was a success, and everyone seemed to have fun, Pulin said.
“It’s a sign of success if the people you help out are having fun,” he said.
