A group of Bluffton churches join together to participate in local volunteer projects
By BARBARA BARBIERI
Work at the Gazebo area along the Rivergreenway was underway on Friday as the Gazebo was painted and the gardens were weeded. The St. Joseph and Presbyterian churches were represented by left to right Andy Vogel, Jeff and Jennifer Burns (all weeding) and Twilla Herr (painting).
For several years, a group of Bluffton churches have participated in a Fall Day of Sharing, when they participate in volunteer projects to assist non-profit groups in the area.
At Hannah’s House, the projects included assembling furniture for the yet-to-be-opened home that will eventually house women before they can become residents at Grace & Mercy. Assembling outdoor furniture were Ryan Nunley and Mike Berkshire from the Sonlight Wesleyan Church. (Photos by Barbara Barbieri)
In past years the Sunday event was organized by Dr. George Babcock of the First Presbyterian Church while this year the Knights of Columbus from St. Joseph Church took over the leadership role with Mike Morrissey and Jeff Miller doing the organizing. This year the volunteering took place over three days—Sept. 14, 15, and 16.
On Saturday morning a landscaping crew worked at the Wells Community Boys & Girls Club as they trimmed trees, weeded the gardens and did some mulching. The workers were from the St. Joseph and Presbyterian churches. (Photos by Barbara Barbieri)
Five sites were selected to receive assistance and included the Wells Community Boys & Girls Club (landscaping), Rivergreenway’s Gazebo (landscaping and painting), Community Thrift Store (sorting clothing), Forgotten Children (sorting clothing) and Hannah’s House (furniture assembling).
All three days the help at Forgotten Children Worldwide included the sorting of clothes to be sent overseas. The Thursday morning crew included folks from the First United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian. Left to right are Deb Shantz, Jean Studebaker. Carol Blevins, Ann and Gary Boone, Nancy Johnson and Ron Blevins.
Among the churches furnishing work crews were: St. Joseph, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist and Sonlight Wesleyan.
At the Community Thrift Store the volunteer job was to sort clothing that had been donated. Here all if the store’s staff are volunteers—so they are all pictured including those from the Presbyterian Church. In the front row are Karen Hedrick, Jan Babaock and Brenda Thomas while behind them are Lisa Jack, Store Manager Edna Bassett, Lesa Asher and Linda Griffith.
