Orange Lutheran freshmen took part in a meaningful service experience through a partnership with Phil’s Friends, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals battling cancer. As part of their theology classes, students assembled 200 care packages and wrote 825 handwritten messages of encouragement that will be delivered to recipients across the country.

Each care package was filled with thoughtfully collected items, including warm blankets, hand-knit beanies, fuzzy socks, playing cards, Bibles, and other comforts meant to bring encouragement during difficult seasons. As students completed each box, they announced the recipient's first name and home state, rang a cowbell, and were met with cheers from their classmates—a joyful reminder that behind every package is a real person, known and cared for.

This service project marked the culminating experience of Orange Lutheran’s inaugural ALL IN program for freshmen, which began with the ALL IN retreat in August. Throughout the year, students have been introduced to the heart of freshman theology and invited to explore how faith in Jesus Christ is lived out through service to others. Using their hands to serve, students reflected on how God calls them to bring comfort and compassion to those facing hardship.

In the days leading up to the packing event, theology students also collected blankets to include in the care packages. What began as a simple collection quickly grew into a friendly competition among the 13 freshman theology classes. In total, 294 blankets were donated, with Mr. Carter’s sixth-period class contributing the most at 52 blankets.

Phil’s Friends was founded more than 20 years ago by Phil Zielke, who survived cancer twice as a young adult. Drawing on his own experience, Phil founded the organization to ensure that individuals facing cancer feel supported through tangible gifts, handwritten notes, scripture, and presence. Since its founding, Phil’s Friends has delivered more than 70,500 care packages and over 1.1 million Cards of Hope nationwide.

ALL IN is a joint initiative of Orange Lutheran’s Theology and Missions departments, designed to welcome freshmen into the OLu community, support them as they build relationships, and encourage an active faith life rooted in service. Through experiences like this, students are learning that faith is not only something we believe, but something we live through compassion and generosity, and a love for one another.