Sep 26, 2018 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Bowlby Library needs its back stairwell painted, nursing homes need visitors to stop by with good cheer and Cedar Grove Cemetery needs to be mowed. Meanwhile, there are trails to be cleared at the Greene County Historical Society and Ryerson Station State Park, roadside cleanup on Rolling Meadows Road and a mural to be painted on the wall at Pioneer Grocery in Rogersville.

The upcoming “Love Greene Project” is looking for volunteers, especially young people, who want to lend a hand on Saturday to better their communities.

This day of neighbors helping neighbors starts with a 9 a.m. registration breakfast at the EQT Rec Center near Waynesburg and ends with a picnic back at the center when the jobs are done.

Crews of volunteers will be off at 10 a.m. to paint, mulch, mow, plant and entertain their way through more than two dozen projects to aid local nonprofits, public spaces and individuals needing help with chores around the house.

“We figure we need about 100 volunteers to do all the projects we have at this point,” said Justin Rhodes, youth director at First Assembly of God.

A list of requests was submitted after Greene Co. Youth Network joined forces with a network of local churches and Communities that Care to make the day happen.

Communities that Care, a coalition of community leaders brought together by Greene County Human Services, is committed to helping make the county a safe, drug free place for all, especially kids, coalition mobilizer Loi Lhota said.

“By partnering with the youth network and Love Greene Project we believe that we are making a larger impact than we could have done on our own,” Lhota said.

Thanks to the energy of this new generation of youth directors on their way to becoming pastors from First Assembly, First Presbyterian and First Church of the Nazarene, Waynesburg, the Greene Co. Youth Network is ready to reintroduce itself to the community and be available on an ongoing basis to help out. Love Greene Project’s other supporting churches include Jefferson Baptist, WWJD Christian Center and Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle.

Agencies and organizations that need help with a project are welcome to have their information on display at the event’s resource table. Those unable or too young to join outside work crews are welcome to help First Church of the Nazarene Youth Director Tim Meeks and his mom with the picnic, create cards to give to nursing home residents or write letters to inmates, military personal and shut-ins.

Outdoor projects will be postponed in the event of inclement weather, but indoor projects and activities at the EQT REC Center will continue, including a bedroom to be painted and carpeting to be removed at Cornerstone Bible Ministries on Willis Road, Jefferson, storerooms cleaned at Corner Cupboard and sorting donations at the Cherry Door Thrift Store, Waynesburg.

“If it’s something you need that can be done by volunteers, let us know,” Rhodes said. “If you want to volunteer, you can contact Love Greene on Facebook or just come out on the 29th. We invite other youth groups in the area to join us. Bigger is better. We can get more done together.”

There are T-shirts for the first 100 volunteers. RSVP to reserve your size and to let the organizers know what tools and skills you have to share. Canned goods will be accepted that day for the Greene County Food Bank.

For more information, call Youth Director Juan Sebastian Gallo at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg at 214-627-6006.