HPU Board of Stewards Serves, Donates $13,000 to West End Ministries

The student group has contributed more than $80,000 to local nonprofits in the past four years.

HIGH POINT, N.C., July 18, 2023 – The Board of Stewards of the Hayworth Chapel at High Point University raised $13,000 for West End Ministries during the spring semester.

It’s become a tradition for HPU’s Board of Stewards to commit their philanthropic efforts to West End Ministries every spring, and this year’s fundraising efforts included collaborations with other student organizations, such as Greek Life and the Student Government Association. An anonymous donor also supported the Board of Stewards’ efforts for the last four years to lift their inspiring work.

In addition, the students hosted a food drive and served at the ministry to learn more about its women’s shelter, Leslie’s House.

With this latest donation, the board has given more than $80,000 in gifts to local nonprofits over the past four years, said Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, minister to the university.

“What the Board of Stewards does is remarkable,” said Davis. “They are exemplary of how our HPU students make a positive difference in our city.”

In addition to West End Ministries, the board supported the local Salvation Army’s Angel Tree to provide Christmas gifts for 100 children and the Ministers Conference’s Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship.

“To have the HPU staff behind what we do here is great but to have support from the Board of Stewards – the young people, the college students themselves – is tremendous,” said Brad Bowers, executive director of West End Ministries. “It shows that our young people believe in this community, they believe in what we’re doing and they’re here to serve. That is a tremendous thing to witness and it’s an inspiration to us all to see those students get behind us. It is very powerful and very much needed. When you see the Board of Stewards and those students doing this on their own, that is when you know there’s hope.”

Board of Stewards President Keira McQuillan, a senior English major and religion minor who also is Chapel Outreach coordinator, said the board’s partnership with West End Ministries began before she joined HPU and found spiritual growth within the Chapel community.

“It is clear to see the Lord’s righteous hand guiding the wisdom of student leaders as well as the funds raised that sow into local ministries, such as West End,” said McQuillan. “When it comes to West End Ministries, it is clear they serve God by serving others.”

That is shown not only through West End Ministries’ commitment to faith-related pursuits but also its food pantry, women’s shelter, thrift stores, emergency assistance, winter shelter, community garden, senior activities and education programs, said McQuillan, a Presidential Scholar and Leadership Fellow.

“They truly value every soul, no matter their walk of life,” said McQuillan. “An unfortunate reality of ministry is oftentimes there is a greater need than there are finances to support those needs of the people. I believe it is the Chapel’s hope that West End Ministries won’t have to suffer a financial burden but rather in freedom bring glory to God by strengthening the body of Christ.”

Photos: 1) Pictured are members of the Board of Stewards of the Hayworth Chapel at High Point University who recently raised $13,000 for West End Ministries, hosted a food drive and served at the ministry. Front row from left to right: Lorisa Klinger, Ivy Scott, Sydney Griggs, Sydney Litwiller, Claire Barnes, Ann-Claire Edwards and Keira McQuillan. Back row from left, Kody Lambeth and Patrick Parker. 2) HPU Board of Stewards member Kody Lambeth uses a wheelbarrow while helping West End Ministries. 3) HPU Board of Stewards member Patrick Parker spreads dirt with a rake at West End Ministries’ community garden.