LAKELAND, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2005) - Saturday culminated a week of volunteer activity by Florida Southern College students that mobilized nearly 150 students in 20 projects throughout Lakeland. Over 100 students along with faculty gathered to celebrate at a Saturday event to help develop a recreational facility for disabled adults on the north side of Lake Parker.

The volunteer week was developed by the Student Government Association with United Way and the Office of Student Life as a way to recognize the volunteer hours students provide throughout the year. Student organizer Lindsey McKnight said the event was also a way to pass on to other students the FSC ethic of service to community.

Students helped construct a play area and volleyball pits and cleaned brush and debris at the Noah's Ark, a Lakeland non-profit organization located near Lake Parker that is creating a community environment for disabled adults. They hope their site will one day be a full-service community. The day finished with a picnic and music performed by Noah's Ark members.

Earlier in the week Florida Southern students helped in 20 projects, including reading to preschool children, offering companionship to the elderly, and serving meals in community food lines. The week-long event was coordinated by United Way of Central Florida to serve its mission of Kids, Families, and Wellness. 


About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 24 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.