By Anne Marie Amacher
More than 500 new students at St. Ambrose University in Davenport took to the streets Aug. 19 as part of the school’s Urban Plunge.
The annual event is an opportunity for incoming freshmen and transfer students to provide volunteer service in the Quad-City area to a variety of organizations, neighborhoods and agencies. It is one of many activities of Welcome Week.
At Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, 33 students did yard work, sorted old textbooks and hauled them to a truck to be recycled, and cleaned classrooms, halls and auditorium in the parish hall, said Susan Stanforth, a cathedral pastoral associate.
“Without the St. Ambrose students we would not get this all done. They are a tremendous help and saved us weeks of work.”
Stanforth noted that if the St. Ambrose students had not been there, many things would have gotten pushed aside for another year or placed into a pile in another room.
Some students spread mulch and did other outdoor work on property surrounding Diocese of Davenport headquarters in Davenport, including sections owned by St. Ambrose.
Other sites students worked at included Humility of Mary Housing, Humility of Mary Shelter, the Kahl Home and Holy Family Parish, all in Davenport.
