Waldorf logs '50 Days of Service'

Make a difference. Help others. Do your part. Do something. For students, faculty and staff at Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa, such words are a rallying cry. They mapped out a plan to log 50 consecutive days of service by the end of the 2006-07 academic year.

“There was a lot of discussion on campus about [Waldorf’s] new ‘live, learn & serve’ tagline and how we could incorporate service into students’ lives a bit more,” said Josh Damm, a Waldorf alumnus who works in its marketing office.

As a runner, Damm was intrigued by a man who wanted to run in 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. “I wondered, ‘What if we did 50 days of service at Waldorf?’ ” he said.

Student Michelle Jones of Ankeny, Iowa, ran in a relay event that marked the end of Waldorf College’s 50 Days of Service. Jones is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ankeny.

His idea took shape and the observance began March 2. From simple events like education majors reading to elementary school students to community programs to spring break service projects, Waldorf’s “50 Days of Service” taught students to reach out, said Damm, who coordinates the project.