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Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Student Activities

Media Credit: Danielle Cox The Nataraja Women's Drumming Circle performed at the Global Gala.

Nearly $1,600 were raised at the Global Gala: Step Out and Serve, hosted by Lynchburg College on Nov. 16. The Gala featured entertainment by the Nataraja Women's Drumming Circle and the E.C. Glass High School Hip Hop Club as well as a variety of native food. Over 125 students, faculty and community members were in attendance.

The money was raised to support LC's partners in Haiti, St. Lucia, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The proceeds will be divided between the countries to support their various programs, which include the Matenwa Community Learning Center in Haiti, LC's Service Learning Initiative in St. Lucia and the Sudanese Empowerment and Development Programs. Through the Sports Outreach Institute the rest of the money raised will be used for an HIV/AIDS program in Kenya, the care of traumatized children in Uganda and peacemaking and reconciliation programs in Rwanda.

Booths lined the walls of the Ballroom and included information about each of the countries sponsored through the Gala. Displays about different diseases researched by students in Dr. Todd Olsen's Health Promotion Human Diseases class were featured, a Fair Trade sale featuring handmade crafts from all around the world and Equal Exchange chocolate, coffee and tea were also for sale.

LC alumna Rachael Tanner delivered the keynote address. Tanner spent a year living in Haiti after graduation with the Beyond Borders program. She spoke about her experiences in Haiti and what serving others has done to change her life.

"I knew that being in Haiti felt right, and I was truly able to help the people," Tanner said.

In addition to Tanner's speech, current LC students shared their experiences serving abroad.

"My favorite part was the panel of student speakers. It was really cool to hear their stories," sophomore Shannon Lynch said.

Lynch hopes that she too will have the opportunity to step out and serve. Many students were moved by the information presented at the gala.

"I thought it was a very eye opening event. It made me want to step out and make a difference in my day to day life," freshman Mitch Poole said.

The evening ended with a candle lighting ceremony where each attendee could light a candle to represent their commitment to service. Each student was asked to make a conscience decision about the next step they plan to take towards serving others.

"The next step will be different for every person. What matters is that those who come are moved and inspired to do something - a little baby step out of their comfort zone in the name of service," Associate Chaplain Anne Gibbons said.

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