As the Project Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity Riverside’s program A Brush With Kindness, I have the privilege to supervise and work alongside great, hardworking volunteers from all over Southern California. Military veterans, university clubs, big corporations are but a few of the volunteer groups I have partnered up to bless low-income homeowners. However, one group of volunteers made such an impact on my life. Calvary Presbyterian Church brought out about 30 youngsters of elementary to junior high age from multiple Southern California locations. The youth were participating in Calvary’s Mission’s Week, where the different campuses come together and serve communities to show God’s love for all people. The group had many leaders from the different campuses and one was a former AmeriCorps. The group was led by Pastor Erin from Calvary’s Riverside campus.
The volunteer group blessed Marguerite who has been battling cancer for quite a while. Marguerite enjoys gardening and landscaping; however, she no longer has the strength or health to do so. Unfortunately due to her condition, her yard has been in disrepair. Earlier this year she was cited by city of Riverside code enforcement to maintain landscape in the front and side yard as well as remove weeds or risk additional citations and fines. Marguerite is in her eighties and on social security. She is unable to pay for a landscaper or even do the work herself. Her daughter contacted Habitat Riverside and notified us of her mother’s situation.
Habitat ordered gavel to cover over 30% of her yard to minimize water usage and maintenance. The youth volunteers and their leaders began to scrape away dead grass and weeds, and then began to level the ground in areas where weed barrier was going to be laid. The youth then rolled out the weed barrier and hammered in staples to hold down the fabric. Though the temperature was in the nighties and the task was not an easy one, I heard no complaints from the volunteers, but instead I heard encouragement and singing. The toughest task that day was definitely tackling the mound of gravel and spreading it throughout the border of the yard, but the youth did a great job and surprised even there adult leaders. Marguerite and her daughter were very happy and praised the work the youth group accomplished in such little time. Thank you Calvary Presbyterian Church and your wonderful youth!
-Please click the links above for information on how to apply for an A Brush With Kindness project or to volunteer and bless a homeowner in a community near you!
