By: Jeff Hughes—
Muncie, IN—Imagine the positive effect of 288 children and youth ages 3-19 and over 200 adults extending acts of kindness and love in one unified week of service.
This is not a dream – it will be a reality in Muncie, Indiana the week of June 17-21, as Union Chapel Ministries launches the 18thAnnual SERVE Week.
What began much smaller in 2002, has now grown into a movement of people from Union Chapel joining hands to serve residents and area non-profit agencies for an intense week of service, all at no charge.
Appropriately titled; “SERVE WEEK” – the event will include 31 different teams doing home rehab, trash pickups, block parties in area parks, food giveaways, nursing home visits, intense partnerships with area non-profits and anything else possible to show care and concern for the city of Muncie.
Teams will serve in locations all over Muncie including:
Muncie Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, YWCA, First Choice for Women, YMCA, Inside Out Community Development Corporation, McCullough Park, Muncie Soup Kitchen, Treefort, Motivate Our Minds, Bethel Pointe, Bridges, Beyond I Can, Ross Center, Golden Living, Silver Birch, Multiple Elderly and Disabled Muncie Residents, 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 differenceright 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’s exactly what our team leaders plan to do.
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 18thyear, SERVE 2019 will include OVER 500 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and non-profit organizations.
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 21stfrom 5:30-8:30pm.
The “Party in the Parking Lot” will include free hamburgers and hotdogs, BMX stunt shows, dunk tank, 10 inflatable games, carnival games, lemonade shakeups, motorized children’s train, entertainment stage, crafts tents emergency vehicles, and more! Everything is free and the entire community is invited.
Want to follow the SERVE WEEK story?
Search our Hashtag: #UCSERVE2019 on social media for pictures and posts
Join our Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/ServeWeek
Join our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/UnionChapelMuncie
Attend the SERVE Celebrations: Sunday, 10:00am and 11:30am in the Oneighty Building located at 4622 N. Broadway.
