“Popsicles in the Park” event was a big success for North Central University’s student-run Org. Elliot Park United

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (September 16, 2021) – Elliot Park United, a student-run org at North Central University, hosted an event called “Popsicles in the Park”. NCU Students walked around Elliot Park passing out popsicles to their neighbors on this hot September day. 

(Photo: Thursday, Sept 16, a group of NCU Students cheered for a video with their popsicles, concluding a successful night of passing out popsicles to the Elliot Park Community.)

By Isabella K. 

Minneapolis, Minn. - Elliot Park United had a successful turnout for “Popsicles in the Park”, 20-30 students showed up to help pass out popsicles and get to know their neighbors in Elliot Park. Starting with the park, the group continued to the basketball players, then to the skate park, and lastly, the soccer field. It was a remarkably hot day, and the community members were very pleased with the cold, and sweet surprise. 

In an interview after being asked how this idea came to be, Elliot Park United Director, Annalise Gehrke, said “I wanted to connect the student body with the community we are in, to love one another and serve our community. “Popsicles in the Park” was an idea passed down to me. We really don’t know these people (Elliot Park neighbors) and popsicles are the easiest way to get to know someone.” 

Elliot Park United has a mission to reach out to their neighbors and just be their friends. 

After an interview with the North Central Univ., Executive board director of External Ministries, Kristin Schwartz, described how her interactions with the community were anything but scary or intimidating. After talking to a couple, Schwartz said, “They were asking me questions about where I go to school, and my major, and just chatted with us. They opened up about their lives, and they weren’t closed off to us. Who knows the last time someone had a conversation with them while in the park?”

After being asked if the event went the way it was planned, Kristin Schwartz and Annalise Gehrke, both said it exceeded their expectations and had the best external ministry org event turnout in a long time. Both already have visions for more events in the future like this. Schwartz said, “I want to invite other orgs to collab and encourage NCU students to get outside of our bubble and into our neighborhood and hang out with our community. Hang out with people, not with the same life experience” and Gehrke said, “EPU’s next event is Trunk or treat, on Halloween night, it’s an event for kids in the community and gives an opportunity for kids to come trick or treating, has a candy drive, runs games, and face painting.”

Stay up to date on events like this at Elliot Park United’s Instagram page. EPU is always looking for volunteers, so if you’re an NCU student fill out this form to help with the next event like this. North Central University is a private, non-profit, Assemblies of God University, and encourages its student body to take advantage of living in downtown Minneapolis and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our beautiful community and neighbors (Elliot Park United). Elliot Park United is giving students the opportunity to do just that. Kristin Schwartz said this, “They’re just regular people, they have some rough life stories but that’s part of life, people are scared to talk to them, but God didn’t call us to a safe life. David was persecuted and he was a man after God's own heart. God wants us to be faithful with what he gives us even if it's out of our comfort zone.” 

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Sources:

Elliot Park United Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/ncu_elliotparkunited/.

 

Interviews:

Kristin Schwartz, 605-400-5614, Executive Director of External Ministries, 9/25/21 phone interview, here is the google doc.

Annalise Gehrke, 612-859-8540, Elliot Park United Director, 9/25/21 phone interview, here is the google doc.