We’ve all had a parent or two holler at us to “Do Something!” in the course of our lives, but a very special congregation in Michigan’s Great Southwest has taken it upon themselves to “Do Something!” in a very big way resulting in an expected “flash mob” of volunteerism this Sunday across the greater community. You likely won’t be able to miss them if you’re out and about that day.
Congregants from First Church of God, a 1,200-member congregation, will blanket Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Stevensville and surrounding communities this Sunday, June 10th, 2018 with 75 service projects benefiting local non-profit organizations. The one-day initiative is called, accordingly, “Do Something!”
David Colp is the Lead Paster at First Church. He says, “Do Something impacts our community by providing thousands of hours of free labor to non-profits and municipalities throughout the county.” In fact, he tells us, “The projects will save them tens-of-thousands of dollars to put back into their services to people.”
First Church, with members attending locations in St. Joseph, Stevensville and Benton Heights, expect around 1,000 people to participate.
Do Something! will take place beginning at 10:30am on Sunday, June 10th at 75 project sites across Northern Berrien County. Colp says, “We have a goal of having 1,000 people serving for three hours,” and adds, “If you calculate the impact, that’s approximately $75,000 donated to the local community.”
All 1,000 volunteers will be wearing matching Do Something! tee-shirts and working at the same time, giving the day a very realistic flash mob feel. Colp says although Do Something! gets plenty of attention from passers-by, the purpose is considerably larger. He says, “Jesus modeled what it looked like to serve and we want to be a church that serves in practical ways to its community. God loves our community, We love our community and this is a way for us to show them both in practical, tangible ways.”
Non-profit organizations and municipalities that are receiving volunteer hours include the following:
- 4 Front Women’s Ministry House
- Benton Harbor Area Schools
- Benton Harbor Charter School
- Birthright
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor
- Centered on Wellness
- City of Benton Harbor
- City of St. Joseph
- Berrien Township
- Benton Township
- Royalton Township
- St. Joseph Township
- Stevensville
- Child and Family Services of Southwestern Michigan
- Eden Springs Park and Campground
- Emergency Shelter Services
- Five Pines
- Green Earth Recycling
- Hallmark Living
- Hanson Hospice Center
- Harbor Habitat for Humanity
- Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan
- I’m Saving Myself Academy
- MI-Journey
- Morton House Museum
- Mosaic Resale Store
- New Heights CCDA Cars Ministry
- Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
- Readiness Center
- River of Life School
- Royalton Manor LLC
- St Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center
- Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center
- Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence
- Sarett Nature Center
- Southwestern Medical Clinic
- United Way of Southwestern Michigan
- The Willows Assisted Living