It’s an ambitious goal. Christendom College students have
launched a campaign – “10,000 Acts of Kindness” – that
promises to deliver food, clothing and a Christian message to
10,000 poor and homeless people in Washington, Philadelphia
and New York, plus internationally in Nicaragua, Peru, Costa
Rica and the Dominican Republic. The effort is being
organized by the school’s mission trip program, led by
philosophy professor Mike Brown.
Brown said that the school has a rich history of student
involvement in mission work. Last year, 30 percent of the
student body went on mission trips. Brown wants to step up
the program by challenging the entire student body and the
Christendom community to feed, clothe and evangelize 10,000
people.
In the 17 years the program has operated, more than 800
students, faculty and staff have traveled the world
evangelizing and helping the poor.
The students have to pay their own way for these trips, so
they hold raffles and other fundraising activities. They also
ask their families for financial help. This year, they have a
crowdfunding page at youcaring.com that has so far helped
them raise nearly $16,000. The students are looking to raise
$50,000 to purchase food and clothing plus pay for travel
expenses.
In November, Christendom students will travel to Washington
and Philadelphia on weekends to distribute food and clothing.
This is a hands-on project, where students go to the streets
to interact with people directly.
The students work with local faith-based groups to deliver
food. In Washington, they will work with Christ in the City,
a Catholic group that began in Denver.
The food and clothing are purchased locally. To lower
expenses, students and faculty usually sleep in local church
facilities.
Assistant Mission Coordinator Julie Cipriano said that
Christendom students are known for their generosity.
“This is an exciting time,” said Cipriano. “We hope that
everyone rises up to the challenge and makes a difference
like never before.”
Brown said that the students who go on these trips receive
more than they give.
“If you want to know Christ, go to the poor,” said Brown.
