LEWISTON — They’re calling it the Church Day of Volunteering.
The Rev. Per Almquist, left, of Free Grace Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Dave Botchler of Grace Community Church survey a set of stairs overgrown with vegetation on the cross-country trails at Lewiston High School on Thursday. The two have organized a Bridging the Gaps campaign in which 100 volunteers from five local churches will work Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to tackle projects that have been neglected due to cutbacks. Anyone wishing to help should be at the Lewiston High School parking lot by 9 a.m.
Kevin Kidd, second from right, of Turner prepares to hoist scrap metal and tires with Mike Ernst, left, of West Springfield, Mass., as they, along with Kidd's sister Grace, right, and other members of the West Springfield Covenant Community Church mission cleaned the trails behind Sunnyside Park in Lewiston on Thursday. The group was visiting Free Grace Presbyterian Church and helping out as part of the Bridging the Gaps campaign where 100 volunteers from five local churches will do projects neglected due to cut backs.
Josh Ernst of West Springfield, Mass., removes an old tire from the trails behind Sunnyside Park in Lewiston on Thursday.
Five city churches have banded together, offering up about 100 volunteers, to tackle four projects on Saturday that the city hasn’t gotten to. Among them: fixing up segments of an old, wooded trail that could lead to Lewiston High School’s cross-country team hosting its own meets someday.
Right now, “home” meets are held at Leavitt Area High School in Turner or at Edward Little High School in Auburn.
“That’s not in the spirit of the rivalry,” said the Rev. Dave Bochtler of Grace Community Church, himself a former LHS football coach.
Bochtler and the Rev. Per Almquist, pastor at the Free Grace Presbyterian Church, approached the city with the volunteering idea months ago: They had the people; where did the city need help?
“Initially, they scratched their heads, ‘What is in it for you guys?’ Nothing,” Bochtler said. “Mostly what the city needs is just labor and we can provide that.”
The pastors met with Public Works staff twice to make a list of projects. Meanwhile, South Lewiston Baptist Church, First Assembly of God and Crossroads Baptist Church also signed on.
“We have lots of projects on the back burner,” said Michael Bernier, Public Works' district manager. The key, he said, was narrowing down ones that didn’t require complex skills or power tools.
Slated for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
— Clearing away trees cut down around the portable classrooms at the Multi-Purpose Center to open that area up.
— Cutting and clearing growth at Simard-Payne Memorial Park.
“They want to cut the trees down on the Riverwalk side to enhance the view of the river,” Bernier said.
— Picking up litter along the Sunnyside Park trails.
— Clearing trees and brush in the overgrown trail sections at the high school.
“There was never a very defined (cross-country) trail,” Bernier said. After the volunteers get in there, it will still need culvert and gravel work, funding that has yet to be freed up.
Athletic Director Jason Fuller called the effort a step in the right direction.
“It’s a huge impact,” he said. “I’m very excited that Dave Bochtler is involved. I know what he stands for.”
Volunteers will meet at Lewiston High School at 9 a.m. before breaking into work groups. Bernier suggested bringing gloves, a hand saw, loppers or pruners and wearing long sleeves in case of ticks.
“It’s going to save a lot of time, but it’s actually going to help us get a jump on these projects,” Fuller said.
Volunteers, not only those from the five churches, are welcome, Bochtler said. “We’re hoping that this is just year one."
Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert said it was nice to see so many residents come forward at once.
“It’s the perfect example of community engagement,” he said. “That’s what makes us an All-America City — the people.”
kskelton@sunjournal.com
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wouldnt it be nice if the
wouldnt it be nice if the newest members of our comunity did the same instead of looking for welfare !!!
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Well Said.....
Well said "Thinkingman".....wish there were more people out there like you who could ask themselves "Am I part of the Problem...or part of the Solution?".....We all need to "step up" and be part of the "Solution" and not wait for someone else to do it....
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I don't see any participation from any Lewiston Mosques. Isn't this about giving back to the community? Or is it just taking from the community?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.In the past year I've spent
In the past year I've spent weekends doing trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail, and locally I've helped build a memorial garden and to rebuild the hiking trails and outdoor education center for Sherwood Heights in Auburn, my oy Scouts are very active and have not yet turned down a request for community service of any kind, in fact we hope tod evelop a partnership with the folks at the Stanton Bird Club to help maintain their sites in the area. Volunteerism is alive and well in Lewiston Auburn, the only question anyone should ask - am I part of the problem, or part of the solution?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.You should all be commended for stepping up to the plate
and doing this worthwhile service to the community. When I was young, youth groups, i.e. Key Clubs, Interact Clubs and Scouts, would constantly be doing these types of projects. Now they're too busy with video games to get out and help the community.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.That is great what the
That is great what the churches did. Great idea. Now lets hope Lewiston frees up the money for the culvert and gravel work to be done so that the clearing does not end up a waste of time.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I am sure the union will step
I am sure the union will step in whereas union workers should be working the projects!! not saving the city the money after all what happens next welfare recitients sweeping the streets to earn their way. After all the city has cut snow removal times to morning hours thereby puting WORKING TAXPAYERS AT RISK while buying a new sidewalk sweeper that sweeps DOWNTOWN ONLY and employing a full time worker, that will really help public safety won't it ???
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Such negativity fixit001!
“A pessimist is somebody who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks.” ~Oscar Wilde
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May God bless them, and Thank you!
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