The Big Serve Supports Those In Need

PLAINFIELD, IL—More than 600 people took part in The Big Serve, a weekend of community service projects put on by Community Christian Church, St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Plainfield United Methodist Church, Hope United Methodist Church, the Village of Plainfield and Al-Aqsa Community Center. The annual event took place May 4-5 at various locations.

The Big Serve provided an opportunity for volunteers to serve in the communities of Plainfield, Oswego, Joliet and more.

Scott Long, a coordinator for The Big Serve, said event organizers hope to get people involved in volunteering in their local community.

“We like to play matchmaker, if you will, with the volunteers and the organizations in the Plainfield area that are in need,” he said.

Long said The Big Serve strives to cast a wide net.

“You don’t have to be part of the faith community to want to be a part of your community,” he said. “You want to help serve in your local area, jump on board.”

The Big Serve this year consisted of 24 community service projects.

Long said a handful of the 24 community service projects have benefited from The Big Serve in years past.

“We’ve built a relationship and been able to maintain that relationship with several of those different organizations over the years,” Long said.

At Del Valle Head Start, a dozen people signed up to help prepare the school facility for its June 1 start date.

“We’re cleaning up around the property, getting it ready for the students this spring, and improving the overall appearance,” said Eric Lenning, a site coordinator for the project.

Volunteers on site were tasked with, among other things, removing the top areas of the mulch to allow the new mulch to sit.

“It’s work they couldn’t do on their own,” Lenning said. “It’s important for the kids, and it’s something we can do.”

Maria Acosta, director of Del Valle Head Start, said the school saves close to $5,000 annually for the landscaping work that is performed during The Big Serve.

Del Valle Head Start commonly serves the families of migrant workers and those with a low-income backgrounds that have agriculture-related jobs.

Acosta said the school appreciates the help they get from volunteers.

“They’ve been coming every year,” she said.

Elsewhere in Plainfield, the Plainfield Public Library put on an event that enabled volunteers to give back to two charities, Cards for Hospitalized Kids and Love for the Elderly.

“This is the fourth year we’ve been part of the Big Serve,” said Jodie Nelson, youth services assistant for the library.

Volunteers who dropped in took part in letter-writing and creating greeting cards.

Nelson said she thinks the event does its part to make a difference in the lives of others because she’s seen the testimonies that are posted to each charities website.

Walker Peck, 17, of Plainfield, was among the 45 volunteers who decided to drop in for the library’s project.

“I thought it was a good opportunity,” he said. “ I feel for the elderly and anyone in the hospital. It’s important to have visitors and attention. It’s good to give.”

Walker’s mother, Heather Peck, shared that sentiment.

“I value volunteering highly,” she said. “It’s not based on money, everyone can volunteer. To me, it’s very important. It’s an important value to show your children that you can serve without the expectation of getting anything in return.”

In capping off the program, volunteers and sponsors were invited to celebrate together with a free picnic held Sunday at Plainfield Central High School.