(Nashville, TN – 7/12/2011) – Some Disciples are “Telling It” and “Showing It” while in Nashville for the General Assembly this year. Numerous volunteers have been and are “telling it” by putting their faith into action. Volunteers had several opportunities to sign up for the project of their choice while attending the assembly.
Selena Guilfoy, co-chair of the local Disciples missions subcommittee, says some volunteer work crews actually began their work in the Nashville area prior to the General Assembly.
“Disciples Home Missions had sponsored some work with flood relief. Nashville had the big flood last year and even more than a year later there are people who still have not gotten back into their homes or are living in conditions that have been less than desirable,” Guilfoy said.
Disciples volunteers have been helping with clean-up, dry wall, painting, landscaping, and pouring concrete to help with rebuilding for some of those who lost everything in the flood last year. Between 30 and 50 volunteers worked on the flood relief project Thursday and Friday prior to the start of the General Assembly.
Meanwhile, Guilfoy said a group of about 25 volunteers lent a helping hand at Second Harvest Foods on Friday by sorting vegetables, non-perishables and refrigerated items as needed.
On Saturday before the Assembly began, a group of about 40 volunteers went to Radnor Lake to clean-up trails around the lake that were damaged during last year’s floods. The trails have slowly been reopening after repairs. Volunteers hauled rocks, raked, weeded and remulched the area.
Another group of Disciple volunteers assisted the Tools for Schools organization. Guilfoy said the group helped cut lumber and plywood, and built bookcases, and computer desks for schools in the Nashville area that need the items. There’s no cost to the schools. Tools for Schools was started by a group of Disciples at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville. John Carpenter, a retired engineer, and a member of Woodmont, is founder of the organization.
New books for children in pre-school through fourth grade that were donated by assembly-goers will be placed in the newly constructed bookcases that are being donated to the Martha O’Bryan Center, a faith-based facility located in Eastern Nashville for underprivileged kids to attend after school and during the summer.
The Room in the Inn project was established in greater Nashville to work with the homeless. The faith-based organization was started 25 years ago by a local minister who recognized the need for people on the street who need food and a place to stay. Two volunteer Disciples groups of 15 each worked there Monday helping with the pantry, landscaping, sorting donations, clothes, toiletries, etc. to help the program.
Another volunteer opportunity is located inside the Convention Center. The Threads of Hope knitting area is set aside on the second floor. Rocking chairs and pre-made kits with yarn, needles, scissors and patterns are available for volunteers to make baby caps for newborns or an adult-sized cap for people who are losing hair while undergoing chemotherapy. Once volunteers finish the caps, they are dropped into a basket for donation to local hospitals.
Two volunteer groups of Disciples worked through the Hands on Nashville organization to build wheelchair ramps at the homes of people with cerebral palsy. Those volunteers were primarily teen-agers aged 15 through 18.
Those who have volunteered to help with Nashville-area projects before and during the General Assembly are not limited to a certain age group. Guilfoy says there are volunteers as young as age 12 and others who are in their seventies helping to “Tell It” in various ways, including donating blood at an off-site location.
“We worked really hard to try to get a variety of things that fit all people who wanted to participate, whether it was a physical activity or not,” Guilfoy said.
Guilfoy said 95 percent of those projects offered were filled.
Katie Voorhis is also co-chair of the local missions subcommittee.
— by Rita Richardson
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