ImpACT Saturday volunteers at Bridges Safehouse

Waxahachie, Texas — March 7, 2013 — Fourty-three Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) students volunteered at Bridges Safehouse and Bridges Thrifty Boutique in Cedar Hill, Texas, on February 10 as participants in ImpACT Saturday, a SAGU Southwestern Missions Association (SMA) ministry.

Bridges Thrifty Boutique Manager Sonia Gooding said, "ImpACT Saturday was a great experience, and the staff and residents of Bridges Safehouse had nothing but high praises for the SAGU volunteers. I'm not sure if the students even realize what a blessing they were."

SAGU students worked with the boutique and safe house from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Approximately 30 students picked-up donations for the boutique.

Gooding says, "A donor offered us a large donation that needed to be transported to the boutique. Without the help of the SAGU students, we would have had to pass up the donation since we are not equipped to transport such a large donation."

Gooding was impressed with the SAGU volunteers' attitude and work ethic. She says, "The students were courteous, respectful, and genuinely interested and invested in the mission of Bridges Safehouse. They continuously asked for new tasks to complete."

SAGU volunteers also served the residents of Bridges Safehouse. Students cleaned, organized activities for the children, gave manicures to the women, and held a worship service.

Executive Director of Bridges Safehouse Emily Van Wie says, "The residents appreciated the genuineness of the volunteers who lead the worship service. One of the residents who has had little exposure to church said that she was deeply impacted by how heartfelt the students were."

Van Wie is a SAGU alumna. She graduated from SAGU in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in business. She became executive director of Bridges Safehouse in September 2011.

Bridges Safehouse (founded 1998) is a Christian nonprofit organization that encourages, empowers and equips women and children in crisis by providing shelter, resources, life-skills training, and mentoring. Bridges Thrifty Boutique communicates and funds the vision of the organization. One hundred percent of all proceeds go towards Bridges Safehouse.

Click here for more information about Bridges Safehouse.

ImpACt Saturday takes place once a month. The purpose of the group is to serve in the Waxahachie and surrounding communities. The next SMA community event will be on Saturday, March 23.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 60 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.