No matter where you go, it’s good to have friends with you.
A small community like Baker University’s provides the opportunity for the development of close personal friendships and relationships simply because everyone is in such close physical proximity.
At Baker, however, something more brings us all together.
That something more is the sense of caring and compassion that accompanies the spirit of nearly everything that goes on here at the university and within the surrounding community.
Wherever you turn, someone is ready and willing to offer a helping hand in any way he can.
Throughout the years we have seen this kindness and concern in university outreach to local, national and international charities and social service organizations, through benefit concerts for ailing community members and through numerous fund-raising efforts.
Every year a number of students and university organizations raise awareness, funding and volunteers for local organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Douglas County or local elementary schools.
Last year, a university benefit concert was held to raise funds to support senior Jaci Kettler in her battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Every week Minister to the University Ira DeSpain sends out words of encouragement to the community through his “Thought for the Week,” as well as keeping everyone informed about community joys or concerns.
The ongoing efforts of the caring people here work to shape this special environment we hold in such high esteem, and these labors of love have continued as another member of the Baker community has come to need help and support.
This week, the Baker and Baldwin City communities have pulled together in an attempt to garner continued support and raise funds to help Mass Media and Communication Department Assistant Sherrie Wood, who has been fighting ocular melanoma, a condition that has metastasized to her liver.
About 600 people attended the soup and chili benefit dinner held in Wood’s honor on Wednesday, and a benefit concert featuring local bands and Baker student musicians will be held at 8 p.m. tonight in Rice Auditorium.
Though the circumstances could, of course, be better, it is simply something special that we have the opportunity to live and work in such a giving and compassionate environment.
Everyone who can should attend the concert tonight, join or donate to a local charity or organization or just lend a hand wherever he can. Let’s keep the spirit going.