From cleanups to kindness rocks, Serve Day lifts local communities
More: $1,500 donation powers science fun for Waverly's Tiny Tigers
According to an announcement, Serve Day mobilized 137 volunteers who completed 13 service projects in Chillicothe, Circleville, Washington Court House, Jackson and Waverly. The projects were designed to meet local needs and remind communities that they matter and that Jesus loves them.
In Chillicothe's east end, volunteers hosted a block party at Crossway Community Center, a refuge for local kids and families. Under the leadership of Amy Jane Simmons and Debbie Geno, the center provides meals, basic supplies, recovery groups, Bible studies and VBS programs. The block party gave neighbors a reason to stop by, enjoy games and temporary tattoos, share a meal and connect with caring adults.
A team of 23 volunteers, ages 2 to 65, made their mark at Yoctangee Park with the 'Kindness Rocks' project. They placed over 100 hand-painted rocks with encouraging words in both hidden and visible spots throughout the park. Colorful sidewalk chalk art and free balloons and bubbles brought smiles to families, according to the announcement.
Another team carried out Laundry Love at the Brite and Clean laundromat on Douglas Avenue. Volunteers provided quarters, detergent, softener sheets and goodie bags containing uplifting church flyers. They also helped carry, load and fold clothes for residents of the local homeless shelter who arrived with baskets of laundry.
Behind Centerpoint Church, located in Shawnee Square, a dozen volunteers partnered with Joe Letsche and his Clean the Streams organization to clean a homeless camp from trash and debris, which will help the environment and those who temporarily reside at the camps.
Other projects included downtown cleanups, care packages for first responders and a Friday evening chalk walk to brighten sidewalks. According to the announcement, each project reflected Centerpoint Church's mission: 'to transform forgotten cities with the love of Jesus.'
Leaders praised the volunteers' passion and unity.
'Serve Day isn't about numbers — it's about real connections,' said a church representative. 'We want every city to know they're not forgotten and every person to know they're loved.'
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: From laundry to kindness rocks, Serve Day brings joy to Ohio towns
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