Sharing with Our Neighbors
The Hardin-Simmons University Friendship House is sponsoring a “Back to School Pool Party� for children, youth, and family members who live in the HSU neighborhood Friday, August 11th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the HSU swimming pool. In addition to swimming activities, the Friendship House will distribute school supplies to neighborhood children, and have a cookout.
This is the second year for the event, but will be the first year for the pool party. Last year, high winds and rain forced the event indoors. The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the 30-40 neighborhood children who braved the elements. Children, families, and volunteers played games, feasted on a multitude of delicious offerings, and lined up for a large bag of provisions for the coming school year.
If readers are out shopping, Danyel Rogers, Friendship House coordinator, could still use scissors, crayons, and washable markers. Donations of school supplies are welcome at the Connally Missions Center on the HSU campus. Contact Danyel at 670-1257 if you have questions (she assures us that there is a 0% chance of rain tomorrow).
As part of the Neighborhood Enhancement initiative, HSU adopted the area between Ambler and I-20, Grape and Pine to meet and share resources with residents living near the University. Students in the neighborhood typically attend Ortiz Elementary, Mann Middle, and Abilene High schools.
A student from last summer's event inventories his bag of school supplies
The program has flourished, thanks to grants from the Shelton Foundation and the Community Foundation of Abilene. Recent activities include neighborhood cleanups, dedication of the Friendship House, a kid camp, programs with the HSU Center for Literacy and Learning, resident house-painting, the HSU Habitat for Humanity house, and much more.
Dr. Craig Turner, president of HSU, believes passionately in the Neighborhood Enhancement Center, “As a Christian university, Hardin-Simmons feels the responsibility to share our time, our friendships, our talents and skills, and our material blessings with those who live closest to us.�
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