By: Jeff Hughes—
Muncie, IN—Imagine the positive effect of over 450 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and area non-profit agencies for one week at no charge.
SERVE participants will rehab homes, pick up trash, visit nursing homes, paint local parks, cook and give away free food, host free block parties, assist non-profit agencies, and clean up and show care and concern for the City of Muncie by meeting practical needs.
This is not just a dream; it will be a reality as Union Chapel hosts our 16th Annual “SERVE Week” June 19-23.
During “SERVE,” 264 local children and youth and 200 adults from Union Chapel will unite and perform service projects all over our great city.
Teams will serve in locations all over the Muncie area including:
Muncie Central High School, First Choice for Women, YMCA, Muncie Mission, Residents of the Whitely Neighborhood, Center Township Trustees, Blood N Fire Ministries, McCullough Park, Second Harvest Food Bank, Harvest Soup Kitchen, Residents of the Morningside Neighborhood, Golden Living Nursing Home, Residents of the East Central Neighborhood, and many more!
Why?
Some say that this generation is a lost cause, but we believe that children and youth just need a dose of the “4-M’s” and an opportunity to make a difference right here in their own backyard. What are the “4-M’s”? We believe children and youth need adults who are willing to MENTOR, MODEL, MOTIVATE, and MOBILIZE them to live for something bigger than themselves; and that is exactly what we plan to do!
“Party in the Parking Lot”
SERVE WEEK culminates with a FREE Community-wide celebration in the parking lot of Union Chapel at 4622 N. Broadway (1/2 mile down from the Muncie Mall) on Friday, June 23rd from 5:30-8:30pm.
The “Party in the Parking Lot” will include free hamburgers and hotdogs, dunk tank, 10 inflatable games, carnival games, rock-climbing wall, lemonade shakeups, motorized children’s train, entertainment stage, BMX stunt show, American Model of Aeronautics (AMA) booth, crafts tents emergency vehicles, and more! Everything is FREE and the entire community is invited to attend.
How did SERVE Week get started?
With a desire to make a significant impact on our neighbors, Union Chapel launched SERVE in 2002 involving 35 youth working in the Muncie community for one week. What began that summer was something greater than anyone could ever imagine. Parents saw positive changes in their kids’ attitudes and significant personal growth. Children and youth began to tell their friends about life-changing experiences, parents and adults in our community began to help facilitate projects and the interest in SERVE has grown every year!
Now in our 16th year, SERVE 2017 will include over 450 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and non-profit agencies and organizations.
Follow the SERVE story in the following ways:
Search our Hashtag: #UCSERVE2017 on social media for pictures and posts
Join our Facebook Page: “Serve Week at Union Chapel”
Attend the SERVE Celebrations: Sunday, 10:00am and 11:15am in the Oneighty Building located at 4622 N. Broadway in Muncie.
