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Parish offers Day of Service

WARREN — With rakes, brooms, leaf blowers, plastic bags and towels in hand, members of Blessed Sacrament Parish spent a Sunday afternoon helping people in the community as part of the eighth annual Day of Service.

Warren resident Christine Flaviani was standing looking out her front door as adults and children from the church helped rake leaves and move debris from her lawn.

“What they are doing means a great deal to me. I can’t get out to do all this, so it helps me. I appreciate what they are doing,” she said.

Her name was submitted for a list of more than 20 properties for church volunteers to help with both indoor and outdoor work.

“Blessed Sacrament is out in full force,” said Kevin McGee, event volunteer, who was helping to rake leaves.

McGee said about 200 people helped with the effort including those cooking food at the church for those who worked offsite. During the meal, Steines said the volunteers shared stories about their workdays.

Lisa and Jim Cordell, church volunteers, said people were assigned to different locations with some helping wash windows and clean inside while others removed leaves.

“This is a way to provide support to those who need help. There are elderly residents who need the help,” said Jim Cordell.

Brooke Steines, event coordinator, provided maps of the city to help volunteers find the work sites in Warren and Howland. The participants gathered after Mass for a quick overview of the day before heading out in groups of five to 10.

Participants in past years have cleaned garages, washed windows, picked up recyclables, raked leaves or just visited with people.

Those taking part in the outreach were presented a special event t-shirt to wear. Event organizers said the number of participants grows each year and includes entire families.

The program originated after parishioners from Iowa mentioned the program was done there, so local church members decided to do it locally.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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