MBSF Holds Dinner to Raise Relief Funds, Shows Importance of Giving

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Photo by Linna Jones

Assembly Line - Robert Fellows Jr places a piece Texas toast on a tray for Derek Jambon to deliver to the dining room. Members of Pauline Baptist Church and students made up the food assembly line in the kitchen.

   The Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship held a Haiti Relief Dinner to collect money for the American Red Cross Feb. 11, but also to show the importance of giving.

   Students, University  of  Arkansas-Monticello staff members and others attended the Valentine’s dinner and a movie, giving $5 or a donation. The funds collected will go toward the American Red Cross to help with Haiti relief.

   Sophomore Slade Deason talked about how the event provided a very hospitable atmosphere and said he enjoyed being there. He said as long as a person is able to help someone they should.

  Senior Stephanie Zakrzewski also described the event as helpful.

  “I think it is good that we’re helping Haiti, because America has the ability to help other countries that aren’t as developed or as prosperous,” Zakrzewski said.

    The MBSF served lasagna, salad, Texas toast and strawberry cheesecake.  Rob Leonard, campus minister for the MBSF, alumni of the MBSF, students and members from Pauline Baptist Church helped to prepare the meal, served it and helped to clean up after the event.  Leonard reported 70-80 people attending the event.

   Bill White, a member of Pauline Baptist Church, helped to serve at the dinner. White has worked with the MBSF for 45 years.  He said he thought the dinner was great and a product of good leadership; referring to Rob Leonard. 

   The MBSF created a casual, but festive atmosphere with simple decorations and soft Jazz music playing in the background.  The room buzzed with conversations from those in attendance.  After dinner, people watch the movie called “Fireproof,” a film about helping relationships heal and grow. 

   Josh Rauls, student recruitment specialist for UAM and active member of Pauline Baptist Church, took Valentine’s pictures for those who wanted them.

   Rauls said he thought given the present situation in the world, the dinner was a good means of getting money to people in need.  He said the experience changed him when he saw low-income college students come together to donate what little funds they have to help others.

  Leonard said the experience of giving could affect others. He described how one of the things the MBSF is trying to express is how it is important for everyone who can give to give. He explained how some people never transition in life from the “helped” to the “helper.” Many students receive some type of financial aid; help from churches or maybe from their families.

   “They need to learn that they in turn need to become helpers,” Leonard said. “It’s not important that you can’t give everything, but if everyone gives something, then it makes a difference and everyone can give something.”

   The MBSF’s motto for the year is “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Leonard said sometimes we think globally, but the problems people look at are so big they tend to fail. What the MBSF tries to do is recognize a problem and act on it. This includes things a person can do at home, which can make a difference here and on the other side of the planet. 

   Leonard gave the example of raising money to help earthquake victims in Haiti.  At the same time, they are also in partnership with Delta Counseling to mentor students in Monticello who do not have positive role models. 

   Students attending the MBSF discussed and developed the idea of the Haiti Relief Dinner in a group meeting, which is held every Sunday night. The core leaders of 16-18 UAM students came up with the idea.

   Leonard said the MBSF had a couple of people in their group who had connections with ministry in Haiti. They tried to put together a trip for spring break to put people on the ground in Haiti to be physically there to help, but since they were unable to do that they decided the dinner was the next best thing.

   People can still donate to the Haiti relief fund by coming the MBSF center to drop a donation off or they can actually make a donation to the American Red Cross by texting Haiti to 90999. The text will add $10 to donor’s phone bill.

   According to the American Red Cross Web site, the $10 donation made through mobile giving would provide a first aid kit equipped with enough ointment and bandages for a Red Cross responder to treat 15-20 injured earthquake survivors. 

   Alternatively, the $10 can provide a family with two watering cans to store clean drinking water, basic first aid supplies or a blanket appropriate to the climate.  Participating carriers include Alltel, AT&T, Cellular South, Cellcom, Cincinnati Bell, Cricket, nTelos, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile.

Editor's Note: This article was edited to correct AP style errors

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