Bringing people together was the main purpose during Hand in Hand, an event held Sunday and hosted by Creighton’s Campus Ministry.
“The goal of the event was to simply have fun and spend time with great people,” said Hand in Hand Activities Committee member Payton Cadien. “Our guests come to make friends, play games, laugh and come together.”
Hand in Hand is designed to use afternoon fun and food to welcome Omaha-area adults with disabilities into the community . The gathering was conducted in the Skutt Student Center.
Lutheran Campus Ministry, CSU and IRHG sponsored the outing. According to Graduate Assistant Beth Samson in Campus Ministry, the event would not be possible without them.
“Their consistent support of this event allows the event to continue each year,” said Samson.
Students volunteered as partners and booth workers. Those who were partners were assigned to an adult and were directed to lead them through the day of games and activities.
There were around 100 student volunteers who participated this year, according to Cadien. For Cadien, the work itself is nothing compared to what she is able to give the guests.
“I do it to see the smiles on the guests’ faces when they walk in and see everything that has been done for them,” said Cadien. “Playing the games with them — Talking with them about their lives and what they like to do — By the end of the event, you become one of their best friends and nothing beats that.”
Activities offered were designed to make the visiting adults feel like they were entering a carnival. Creighton students ran all activity booths, including ring toss, cup stacking, bingo and karaoke.
College of Arts and Sciences freshman Kaitlin Carlson worked a game booth in association with the Honors Program.
This year was Carlson’s first year participating in Hand in Hand, though she plans to return next year because of the change she felt she was able to make in the lives of others.
“They were so genuinely excited to be meeting new people. Bringing people such great joy like that with such little action of my own… it was an incredible experience,” said Carlson. “It was an honor to meet these people and hang out with them for a bit.”