Day of Service

The second annual Day of Service has been scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 2010. The purpose of this event sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “is for churches, civic organizations and government agencies to link arms to strengthen local communities with meaningful service projects that will help those in need, beautify communities, build friendships, and bolster the spirits of all,” according to the website [dayofservice.org]. Service projects are planned throughout the Southeastern United States. Lakeland residents Karl and DeAnne Sweeney participated in the 2009 Day of Service at the Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland & Mulberry and commented “It was really rewarding to accomplish projects at the Club that they really needed – and to work with others who were there just for the joy of service was ‘icing on the cake’.” The Day of Service is open to anyone wanting to join in, just visit the website [dayofservice.org] to find out what service opportunities are near you.
Various projects have been planned for Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Davenport. Organizations such as Angel Food Ministries, Harbor House, Juvenile Diabetes Research, Keep Polk County Beautiful, and The Sunshine Foundation Dream Village will benefit from service given on this year’s Day of Service. More projects are in the works for other areas of Polk County.
Last year’s Day of Service drew 47,755 volunteers who helped with 554 projects throughout the Southeastern United States. Over 223,200 hours were donated.
In Polk County, 376 volunteers donated 1,476 hours to organizations including Manna Ministries, The Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, Lighthouse Ministries, the Bartow Women’s Center, The Mission, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lakeland and Mulberry.