Editor’s Note: This is the third of a five-part series that highlights various members of the Appalachian and Boone community.

While he was doodling and talking to his friend, the word ‘because’ kept coming to mind. “Because –,” he said. “What because?”

Then, the idea came to him. “Love because.”

“We love because He first loved us,” Jordan H. Duke, junior appropriate technology major said.

“Love Because” was formed out of Duke’s need to have a religious club unique to various current campus clubs.

Though it is not university-recognized, the group meets in Frank Residence Hall lobby every other Tuesday and is made up of approximately 30 people.

After realizing the Hospitality House of Boone was in need of supplies, the group went to Wal-Mart. Each person contributed about $5. After shopping for mugs, gloves, hats and other necessities, their total came to more than $200. After paying, they had seven cents left over.

The group recently designed T-shirts and donated proceeds to Wine to Water to buy a well in Cambodia.

In conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse, “Love Because” created a T-shirt and photo display to be shown in Plemmons Student Union to raise awareness for “Beat the Virus,” an AIDS awareness campaign.

The team also helped advertise for the “Lifted: Boone” concert. The concert raised money for the fight against global sex trafficking.

While small, the group hopes to grow and possibly spread to other campuses.

Emily C. Mealor, junior English major, has known Duke since freshman year. When Duke approached her about the idea of “Love Because,” Mealor agreed to help.

“I said, ‘yeah, let’s go for it,’” she said.

Duke’s helpful attitude is what causes many to join the club, Mealor said.

“It was because of ‘Love Because’ that so many people came together for the cause of love,” she said.

If interested in joining, e-mail Duke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Story: MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON, Intern Lifestyles Reporter