Volunteers from four Nazarene Churches in Mount Vernon participated in a community service event called Big Serve on April 26 and May 17. This initiative is part of the Church of the Nazarene's efforts across Ohio to engage in community service. The churches involved were First Naz, Lakeholm, New Life, and Shepherd’s House.
The volunteers collaborated with local organizations such as Place 4 Grace, New Hope Education Center, Community Roots, and Foster Ministry House. Their tasks included maintenance and landscaping projects. Several schools in the area, including Twin Oak Elementary, Dan Emmett Elementary, Wiggin Street Elementary, and Pleasant Street Elementary, received assistance with cleaning, organizing, painting, and playground improvements.
Additional volunteer efforts took place at Wolf Run and Memorial Park where light maintenance work was carried out. Volunteers also engaged with residents at Brookdale and Living Center senior adult facilities through singing activities. They wrote appreciation cards for teachers, nursing home staff, first responders and prepared freezer meals for the fire department.
Community members received help with home maintenance projects as well. Each day of service concluded with a free meal provided to residents of Shalimar Apartments and the Riverside Park neighborhood.
For more information about the Mount Vernon Nazarene churches or to view photos and videos from the event, visit social media platforms using #bigserve.
