Simpson University ‘Strike Teams’ Receive Senate Recognition

Simpson University’s student “Strike Teams” received a certificate of appreciation from California Sen. Ted Gaines’ office during a chapel service Friday, Nov. 20. Continue reading →

Dec 04, 2015 /prREACH/ -- For Immediate Release

Nov. 23, 2015 REDDING, Calif.—Simpson University’s student “Strike Teams” received a certificate of appreciation from California Sen. Ted Gaines’ office during a chapel service Friday, Nov. 20.

“The motto of Simpson University is ‘Gateway to World Service,’ and the students clearly take that motto seriously,” said Sen. Gaines, a Republican from El Dorado. “Simpson University is a powerful force for good in Shasta County, and the students there are passionate about serving their community. What a great example of combining faith with good works.”

Simpson University Strike Teams began in 2012 in response to student desire to help meet community needs year-round. Since then, hundreds of students have served more than 4,000 hours on more than 150 projects, including cleanup, maintenance, construction, moving and helping at nonprofit community events. In October, a Strike Team traveled to Clearlake, Calif., to help sift through ashes of a home destroyed by the Valley Fire in Lake County. This fall, teams have helped at events for local nonprofits such as Court Appointed Special Advocates, KIXE-TV, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, in addition to numerous “strikes” to aid individuals and families.

Hannah Dewater, a 2014 Simpson graduate who helped start Strike Teams, oversees the teams as the university’s coordinator of community services. She said the students, faculty and staff who participate on teams are able to work alongside people who are “on the ground, serving their community everyday."

“It is an absolute privilege to partner with (the) city and show the love of Christ through meaningful service,” Dewater said. “Simpson is experiencing what Jesus talked about when He said it is better to serve than to be served.”

Strike Teams received the 2015 Community Partner Award from Compass ShiningCare in September and were named Volunteer of the Month at KIXE-TV in September 2014. They received a certificate of appreciation from the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for participating in the 2015 walk in Redding. Learn more about Strike Teams at simpsonu.edu/striketeams.

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Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Building in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. Simpson is expanding its Northern California presence with a regional center opening in Woodland, Calif., in January 2016. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.