Tag Archives: community

Featured Events Archive

MLK Day community event

First Christian Church will host the 2nd annual MLK Concert for Love & Justice on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m.

The concert will feature the Bridges 2 Harmony Gospel Choir from Roosevelt High School under award-winning director, Mr. James McNear. Mr. Ray Lewis of the Evelyn K. Davis Center will lead a discussion with members of the choir connecting Dr. King’s work with current civil rights issues and local experiences. Also appearing will be the First Christian Chancel Choir led by Ben Allaway and readers and performers from the DMACC-led English as a Second Language program. There will be opportunities for attendees to stay for further discussion, sign up to volunteer with various organizations working on issues, and register to vote.

Dr. King spoke at First Christian (then University Christian) in 1959, part of a long legacy of social advocacy at the church in partnership with many organizations, including NAACP, AMOS, Drake University, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, The WHYLD GIRLS, The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and many more. Other luminaries appearing at First Christian have included Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Robeson, Madam Chiang Kai-Shek, Chief Justice Harry Blackman, Jesse Jackson, Jane Fonda, Sister Helen Prejean, Buffy Ste.-Marie, Richie Havens, and Odetta.

For more information please call Ben Allaway, director of worship & fine arts, 515-720-1038, ballaway@fccdm.org, or www.fccdm.org.

—Submitted by Renee Sedlacek, Interim Director, Community Engagement and Service-Learning

News & Achievements Archive

Drake news: Week of Dec. 7

Wells Fargo makes $200,000 commitment to Drake
Wells Fargo recently renewed its longstanding commitment to Drake University’s College of Business and Public Administration with a five-year, $175,000 grant to the Professional and Career Development Center. The grant enhances Drake’s efforts to prepare students to be remarkable leaders and team members in the professional world.

An additional $25,000 grant by Wells Fargo to the University’s new Data Analytics program honors the career contributions of former Drake President David Maxwell and his wife, Madeleine Maxwell. Read more in Drake’s Newsroom.

Junior Dylan DeClerk honored for philanthropic contributions
The Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored Dylan DeClerk, a junior marketing and finance major, with its Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award during a Philanthropy Day Awards program on Friday, Nov. 13. Dylan is executive director of Opportunity on Deck, which has benefited hundreds of students. Learn more about Dylan’s work.

Campus Announcements Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Holiday Food Drive

As part of the Drake community, we hope you’ll join us in coming together to collect much needed food and personal items for families in need. Our donations will stay in the Drake neighborhood and be delivered to CROSS Ministries on 24th Street.

When: Monday, Nov. 23–Thursday, Dec. 3
Where: Drop boxes are located at the Bell Center, Cartwright Hall, Olmsted Center, and School of Education. You may also bring your donation to the Holiday Pancake Breakfast on Thursday, Dec. 3

How can you help: A list of highly needed items are listed below—we hope you’ll select a few from the list and drop off at one of the designated locations.

Food

  • Proteins (peanut butter and canned meat/fish)
  • Canned vegetables
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned soup
  • Dried pasta
  • Breakfast items (including cereal)
  • 100% fruit juice

Personal/Hygiene Products

  • Laundry soap (greatest need)
  • Toilet tissue (greatest need)
  • Disposable diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Dish soap
  • Shampoo
  • Deodorant
  • Kleenex
  • Paper towels
  • Sanitary napkins and/or tampons

CROSS Ministries is a nonprofit homelessness prevention agency with the Presbytery of Des Moines. They provide direct financial emergency assistance, food, and personal hygiene products to low- and no-income households. www.crossministriesdm.org

Campus Announcements Archive

United Way/Iowa Shares campaign results

Thank you to everyone who pledged:

  • 208 total donors
  • 53 new participants to the campaign
  • 15 leadership gifts of $1,000+ (an increase of six leadership gifts from 2014)
  • $50,126 total raised: $44,967 for United Way; $5,159 for Iowa Shares

Together, we are affecting the lives of central Iowans and providing learning opportunities for our students who serve at more than 35 agencies supported by the campaign.

Click here to see if your received an incentive.

—Submitted by Renee Sedlacek, Interim Director, Community Engagement and Service Learning

News & Achievements Archive

Get your glow on

Improve your personal wellness by participating in the GLOW RUN on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in Helmick Commons hosted by Residence Hall Association and Drake Wellness. The first 60 registrants will receive a free water bottle and glow accessories! This 2K on-campus run will help you improve personal fitness and help you gain awareness of Drake Wellness Center services before the holidays begin. Register by emailing wellness@drake.edu or by completing the waiver.

News & Achievements Archive

Join a site visit to Findley’s Dreamer Academy

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As part of our United Way Campaign we are highlighting I Have a Dream Foundation and invite faculty, staff, and students to join us on a site visit to learn more about how they can get involved with our partnership at Findley Elementary. Drake has partnered with the I Have a Dream Foundation to adopt the 1st grade class at Findley in an effort to create a strong culture of pursuing college and careers among Dreamers at an early age. Throughout the year we will facilitate programing, learning opportunities, and support services for students and families. Every student at Findley Elementary is a Dreamer!

Two visits will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 8:15 a.m.  and 12:15 p.m.. Transportation will be provided, but each visit will be limited to 10 participants, so sign up today. Participants should meet in the Olmsted Parking lot 30 minutes prior to the start of the visit they signed up for.

For more information, please contact Renee Sedlacek, interim director of community engagement & service-learning at x2454 or renee.sedlacek@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Renee Seldacek

Featured Events Archive

Put your spelling skills to the test

If you enjoy a little friendly competition and raising money for a good cause, don’t miss out on the Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, Nov. 13, 6–8 p.m. in the Olmsted Center. All proceeds from the event go to support Drake’s Adult Literacy Center.

The cost to register a team (4–5 people) is $200 and includes drink tickets and appetizers. Tickets for spectators cost $20 and $5 for Drake students. Register your team or buy your ticket today!

—Submitted by Anne Murr, Director, Adult Literacy Center

For Students Archive

Students: Volunteer with Meals from the Heartland

Exploring Food Justice and Community Building through Service
Friday, Oct. 30
5:15—7:30 p.m.
Marriott Hotel – Salon D & E

Meals from the Heartland is a nonprofit, largely volunteer-based organization that brings diverse communities—such as businesses, schools, individuals, organizations, churches, and families—together in an effort to provide food to the hungry around the world. They’ve packaged more than 50 million meals since they began in 2007. Join us in this hands-on experience to package meals for the hungry, and learn more about global service-learning. This event will also include light hors d’oeuvres.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about Meals from the Heartland and food justice/food security
  • Send meals all over the world; will pack about 20,000 meals
  • Learn more about global service-learning from a practitioner in the field of international education
  • Opportunity to network with international educators in the Midwest

Please RSVP to Maria Rohach, global learning program coordinator, by Wednesday, Oct. 28, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Maria Rohach