Volunteers, Support Needed for "Week of Hope" July 11-17, 2004; Hundreds of teens bound for Larimer County community service projects
Hundreds of teens will come to northern Colorado in July to complete community service projects. Volunteers and donations are needed in support of this event.
(PRWEB) March 12, 2004
Over 400 teens and adults from around the country will converge on Larimer County this summer to do a variety of community service projects during the week of July 11-17. This inaugural event, organized by Group Workcamps and partnered with Thompson School District, seeks community support to welcome these outstanding helpers and make their time here enjoyable and rewarding. Volunteers are needed to help with the week's activities, as well as to provide donated items for hospitality bags for the participants.
Group Workcamps has conducted service projects around the country for more than 27 years, and community partners directly reap the benefits. Community partners for the "Week of Hope" include Boys and Girls Club, Larimer Center for Mental Health, Project Self-Sufficiency, Care Housing, House of Neighborly Service, Hearts and Horses, Loveland Berthoud IHN, Alpha Center, Respite Care, The Tutor Center, Wingshadow, The Family Center, Habitat for Humanity, H. E.L. P. International, Loveland Church of Nazarene, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hope Springs Community Church, and Good Samaritan (Loveland).
"[This event] pulled our community together in a way nothing else could have. Suddenly everybody -- churches, human-service agencies, businesses, the media, clubs and even individuals -- was working together with a common goal. The effects will last for a long, long time," said Debora Baker, a past Group Workcamps community partner in Louisiana.
Interested community members and businesses can support the participants of this worthy event in several ways, including:
·-Volunteering: Volunteers are needed to welcome Week of Hope participants upon their arrival in Loveland on July 11th, as well as coordinate activities and entertainment for the group during their time in northern Colorado.
·-Welcome Marquees: Businesses that have marquees in Larimer County are encouraged to post messages welcoming Week of Hope participants and thanking them for their efforts.
·-Hospitality Bag Donations: Businesses, residents or organizations are asked to consider donating items for welcome/hospitality bags that will be given to participants as a small token of appreciation when they arrive. Each donation should consist of at least 50 items and as many as 400 items to fill these bags. Consider fun, useful items that will be appreciated by teens, and that will act as a reminder of their experience in Colorado.
In addition, agencies and groups in northern Colorado that have need of assistance may contact Group Workcamps to obtain a simple application to request a work team be assigned to their project. Teams are assigned in groups of six individuals. Work can be for agencies or their clients, and may include activities such as tutoring, serving meals, clean up/spruce up of facilities and/or outdoor areas, or simply spending time with agency clients, such as seniors and the disabled.
For details on volunteering, donating or applying for a work team to help with your non-profit project, contact Kari Southard at Group Workcamps, 970-292-4456, ksouthard@groupworkcamps. com.
Background
Group Workcamps, a Christian organization based in Loveland, Colorado, was founded in 1977 by Group Publishing, Inc., after the Big Thompson River Flood. This tragedy united various church youth groups in northern Colorado to help rebuild the homes of affected residents. Over 165,000 volunteers later, Group Workcamps continues to impact thousands of lives and bring hope to communities across the United States every summer.
As a premier mission trip organization for church youth, Group Workcamps offers a unique program that places an emphasis not on evangelism, but on helping kids mature in the Christian faith through volunteer community service. With interdenominational devotions for the volunteers and contemporary evening programming, the Workcamp strives to establish character-building qualities, including an attitude of servanthood and an appreciation for the value of sacrifice.
Group Publishing, Inc. uses an innovative approach to help church leaders change lives. The worldwide publisher produces interdenominational resources for all ages and conducts regional and national conferences for church leaders in youth, children, and adult ministry. The company also organizes and runs more than 60 volunteer service workcamps each summer. Backing its products up with its REAL guarantee, the company encourages a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through a relational, experiential, applicable, and learner-based approach. Now in its 30th year, Group Publishing is recognized as a top Christian workplace, winning the first-place award for large media organizations in a study conducted by Christianity Today magazine. Visit Group's Web site at: www. GroupPublishing. com.
