FirstConnection hosts field day

The call to serve the community in which one lives is often very strong, and this is especially true during the years spent in college. That is why there are many service organizations on campus. Some are successful, but few are as successful as FirstConnection, which has been around only a semester. Founded in January of this year, the group has already hosted one major service project and has ambitious expansion plans for the fall.

Founded by Craig Lawrence, a senior majoring in political science, and Armando Medina, a junior majoring in biology, FirstConnection is seeking University students who want to make a positive contribution to the Tuscaloosa community.

One of the first projects the group undertook was a field day at Tuscaloosa's Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.

"Our main goal is to unify the campus and reach out to the community,"

Lawrence said. "We would like to completely transform the future and students of MLK Elementary so that 10 years from now, it will be regarded as one of the best elementary schools in Tuscaloosa."

The field day, which was held April 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., was chosen so that as many UA students as possible could participate, Lawrence said.

"Honestly, many of these kids have not been as fortunate as we have," Lawrence said. "We have an incredible opportunity to touch Tuscaloosa's hurting schools through this project."

Lawrence said MLK Jr. Elementary students were divided into teams, each with an animal mascot, and moved around to different stations to participate in a variety of activities.

"Each student had the opportunity to make a 'pet rock,' which they were able to paint. In the gym, students participated in a game of dodge ball with the different classes competing against each other," Lawrence said. "Outside, students took part in a variety of different games and activities, including tug-of-war, relay races and kickball, as well."

Lawrence said he thought the field day went well and may have inspired some of the students of MLK Jr. Elementary.

"I thought that the field day was a huge success," Lawrence said. "Many different people from many different backgrounds from all over campus all came together to serve the community."

Students had a variety of areas they could help out with throughout the day. There were four different types of volunteers at the field day: team leaders, crafts, outside and gym helpers. Team leaders had to lead the different classrooms around the stations and made sure the kids stayed motivated.

FirstConnection was born out of the ideas of several service-minded UA students this January.

"We were looking for a way to touch the community in some small, but still helpful, way," Lawrence said. "We encourage everyone who wants to serve the community to join the group."

Medina, one of the group's founders, said FirstConnection is trying to form a solid partnership with MLK Jr. elementary school.

"We [the volunteers] enjoyed the field day almost as much as the kids," Medina said. "We're planning several more projects aimed at improving the school in the fall, as well."

FirstConnection also hopes to be a resource for service projects, such as painting and cleaning buildings around the school. The group is currently planning a cookout and cleanup day at MLK Jr. Elementary school for next semester.

Lawrence said the group has received lots of initial support from various groups from all over campus.

"We received a great deal of support and assistance from Freshman Forum and from SGA President Cason Kirby," Lawrence said. "Freshman Forum actually provided refreshments for the volunteers, as well as supplies for the participants at the field day."

Lawrence said the group is planning large expansion efforts when we return to campus this fall.

"We're hoping to establish other chapters of FirstConnection at other nearby campuses, especially the University of Alabama at Birmingham," Lawrence said. "We're also planning on instituting a mentoring program at MLK elementary in the fall, too."

Lawrence said he was proud of the support the group has received and thinks the group will make a strong difference in the coming months.

"We should not ignore the need that exists," Lawrence said. "These kids just need someone who cares in their lives. You can be the factor that changes their outlooks on life and increases their desire to attend college."