Club holds do-it-yourself day
Students learn to live simply
December 6, 2006
Kristie Schwanebeck
It’s important for people to think about the way that they live in this world.
This message defined the first event put on by the Helping Hands club this year, which was held Nov. 25. The group, comprised primarily of students, ran what they termed a “do-it-yourself” day, in which they encouraged people to adopt a more simplistic attitude to living.
Organized by Krista West, the event’s activities included learning how to sew and mend clothes, a bread-making crash course, a bike maintenance course, and a workshop on making Christmas wreaths and cards. During the lunch break, the club ran a mini-information session on the benefits of living simply.
According to Eric Strong, a club member, the day was definitely a success.
“If nothing else, it built community,” he said. In his opinion, as long as it made people think, it was worth it.
Strong noted that it is the little things, such as making your own Christmas gifts and cards, that can move us toward living simply.
“We used all the resources we could,” Strong said. “For the cards, we used magazine clippings.” As well, the foliage for the wreath-making workshop had been gathered by a groundskeeper and donated to the club.
The newly created Helping Hands club received funding from the TWU Student Association for the event. Given $125, the club was able to fund a lunch and buy craft items for the day.
“We stretched it as far as we could,” Strong said, adding that some supplies were donated.
While the idea of living simply may seem unrealistic, Strong said it “comes down to being committed.” He believes that this can be done through the simple choices and decisions that we make on a daily basis. For example, these choices may include riding a bike to school or using a thermos for coffee rather than a paper cup. These little decisions then become a habit.
“We need to start with what we can do and there’s a lot that can be done,” Strong added.
Categorized as a social club, Helping Hands believes it’s important for us to relate in healthy ways and help each other, Strong said. The purpose of Helping Hands is to improve the conditions that students live in by working together to acknowledge each other’s strengths, not weaknesses.
Currently, the club meets once a week and is open to anyone who would like to be involved, including the Langley community. They have no set agenda and work with whatever ideas members bring to the table.
This spring they will host a program aimed at the homeless on Saturday evenings as well as a biking program. If you are interested in joining, email Eric Strong at hhhcolletive@gmail.com.
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