Using the theme "Faith Into Action" local Christians tried to live out the theme as they
devoted Saturday morning to cleaning up areas of Bowling Green.
Organizers indicated between 250 and 300 volunteers, young and old, canvassed mostly the east side of
Bowling Green, picking up trash and doing their part to clean up the area.
The volunteers, mostly from St. Mark’s Lutheran, Dayspring Assembly of God and Bowling Green Covenant
churches, ranged from young children to senior citizens. Each was clad in special orange T-shirts to
identify them as part of the project.
Jack O’Hare, a member of Dayspring was overjoyed at the opportunity and the results.
"This was the best opportunity to serve the community and live your faith," O’Hare said.
He added that he was moved by the fact that "three divergent churches gathered to do one
thing."
O’Hare also liked the fact that the churches and the members are willing to take their faith outside the
church walls.
"That is why I am so proud of what we did," he stated.
The volunteers met at Dayspring in the morning for breakfast before breaking into 10 different teams
which then scoured their designated area to gather up trash and generally spruce up the community.
Most of the teams were set up to include members of different churches, to help foster the spirit of
working together.
Orrin and Judy Zirbel, members of St. Mark’s, indicated they also participated in this last year when it
was only their church involved.
"It was a great opportunity to work with different people," he indicated, Adding, "Our
area was remarkably clean."
However his wife was quick to indicate the volume of cigarette butts which were picked up.
Sasha Lanning, age 12, a student at the new Bowling Green middle school, echoed the volume of cigarette
butts.
This was also her second year participating as a member of St. Mark’s. She said that the cigarette butts
and beer bottles were the nastiest things she had to pick up.
"I like doing thing for the community to help make it a better place," Sasha said recognizing
the purpose.
Her younger brother, 7-year-old Asa, is a student at Crim Elementary, and thought the work was
"pretty hard."
"The paper things that were wet," he said were the most difficult.
Making things a little more challenging for him was that he and their mother, Amy Lanning, shared one
glove as they gathered the trash.
Referencing the cigarette butts, the elder Lanning said, "We determined if they (smokers) had to
pick up after themselves, there might be less smokers."
She added referencing the theme of sharing the faith in action, "It really feels good to do this. We
had a number of people thank us."
"This was an ideal way to make an impact for a dark world," O’Hare said.
While they were out and about, the volunteers also took the opportunity to smile and greet people as they
diligently cleaned. They had a small brochure which outlined their purpose which they were able to give
to inquiring citizens.
The volunteers indicated they were well received and appreciated being appreciated by those they spoke
with.
Organizers hope more churches may participate next year.
The City of Bowling Green cooperated by providing empty trash bags and collecting the full ones.
A small lunch was held at St. Mark’s following the work effort.
Despite the hard work, Pastor Dale Schaefer of St. Mark’s said, "We had a good time."