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Located in rural Newburg, Wis., Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center serves at-risk, physically disadvantaged and mentally challenged children. Ali Bernero ’10 became involved with Blue Lotus after attending a servant-leadership volunteer fair, where she learned they were in need of a wheelchair-accessible dock.

What started out as a small project eventually grew to a multi-year, four-component project involving more than 80 MSOE volunteers.

Bernero ’10 served as the project manager for all four projects, which included: (1) building a wheelchair-accessible fishing post; (2) building a 52-by-30 foot deck and (3) a 10-foot wide walkway; and(4) a floating dock that allows canoes to be lifted onto the dock, making it easier for wheelchair-bound campers to access the canoe.

For Benero, an architectural engineering and structural engineering major, volunteering is a critical part of the college experience. “By getting students involved in volunteer projects, we can help them discover the real-world applications that come with their studies.”