GREENFIELD — A weed-eater hummed near a tree. Two boys walked the park’s paved path, spray-painting fresh mile markers.
The sun was approaching its peak, and the temperature was nearing the upper 80s. Water bottles rested on the folded-down tailgate a pickup truck for volunteers needing a quench to keep going.
Far from the truck, in the middle of Beckenholdt Park’s acres and acres of prairie and native grasses, Mary Greenwalt and Dianna Adams continued their methodical progress along the boardwalk over the wetland area, sealing its planks to preserve the walkway for future park visitors. They’d started by the gazebo in the distance and were nearing the end.
“We’re supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus, so that’s what we’re doing,” Greenwalt said as she sprayed sealer on the wood.
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Adams said she was there, spreading sealant with a long-handled roller, because serving has long been important to her and she believes each person can have an impact “by what you do and say and how you treat others, the smile that you bring to their face.”
Adams and Greenwalt were among more than 400 volunteers from Park Chapel Christian Church who set out July 13 to offer community service at 23 locations on the church’s annual Serve Day. From sprucing up the grounds at schools, to sorting supplies or painting at non-profit organizations, to spending time with seniors in care facilities, they offer a variety of kindnesses at the event each year.
The influx of volunteers is always appreciated, said Greenfield Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ellen Kuker.
Beckenholdt Park, Brandywine Park, Riley Park and Thornwood Preserve were among the Serve Day sites. Kuker said while the teams help whittle the to-do list and by sheer numbers “accomplish projects in a day, that would have taken us much longer … they also accomplish projects that take our parks to the next level,” she wrote in an email to the Daily Reporter.
“Tree mulching along the Pennsy Trail isn’t something that has to be done like mowing, but when we are able to accomplish a task like this, it takes a part of the park from good/average, to awesome/amazing!”
Saturday, the mulch piles ready for spreading dotted the Pennsy Trail, where different teams took charge of segments of the path through the city.
West of South Broadway Street, Adam Ward and Valerie Davidson chatted about what each likes to read while they spread mulch around a tree.
“It’s all about blessing the world,” Davidson said, referring to the #blesstheworld motto the church has used for several years. “Anytime I can do something to help other people, I like to jump in on it.”
Ward had a similar outlook on the project.
“It’s a good way to serve the Lord in our community, rather than sitting at home,” he said.
Farther east along the trail, three women were also enjoying working together on a task. Michele Gill, Nancy Fuqua and Jeanette Colip applied fresh coats of dark brown paint to posts along the trail.
On previous Serve Days, Gill has volunteered at a senior facility and at Love INC. Colip has served at a senior facility and one year helped an older homeowner with yard work.
Fuqua said this was her first Serve Day, but it had been a good time helping out with friends.
“I will do it again.”
