C-N’s Operation Inasmuch Reaches Milestone

 
What is one to do when the ladder is too short? Well, you get by with a little help from your friends. If you happen to be with your fellow cheerleaders, then it’s even better. Jessica Hamby is on the ladder, and Maci Phillips has the paint roller. Hayley Teague, Amber Stanton and Lauren Stanton are holding Lauren Catlett.

Carson-Newman first implemented the Operation Inasmuch model for a morning dedicated to community service in September 2006. That first Saturday saw 231 participants break into 25 groups that contributed almost 600 total hours to social service agencies in Jefferson and Hamblen Counties.

Last Saturday’s seventh annual OI day saw 812 volunteers contribute at least two-and-a-half hours each at 36 sites from Knoxville to Morristown. The 2030 hours, which was accomplished by 47 teams, pushed C-N’s cumulative total of OI service time past the 11,000-hour mark.

Operation Inasmuch Planning Team members were ecstatic over the turnout, which bested the previous record of 620 participants by more than 190. OI has drawn 3777 C-N volunteers over the last six years, according to organizers.

“We had great expectations for our seventh annual service blitz, and those expectations were exceeded,” declared Campus Minister Nenette Measels, part of the planning team. “It was thrilling to see our students, faculty and staff respond to the call of community service.”

Projects included work at several Jefferson County Senior Centers, local schools, and churches as well as Samaritan House, the Boys and Girls Club and Knoxville’s Birdhouse Community Arts Center.

“I love the excitement surrounding Operation Inasmuch,” said senior Sarah Hodge, of Strawberry Plains, who helped plan logistics for the event through her work as outreach coordinator for Community Connections.

“Students definitely look forward to the event because it’s such a unique opportunity to spend time with classmates, make new friends, and get connected to community partners around Jefferson County. Watching hundreds of students gather on Saturday morning was a great reminder that our campus is united in striving to meet the needs of our greater community.”