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San Clemente volunteers get to work cleaning the home-economics classroom at Shorecliffs Middle School.
By Orange County Register | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: July 11, 2012 at 2:35 p.m.
About 50 volunteers organized by four local churches are out and about this week in San Clemente, conducting a food drive, volunteering at a local charity, refurbishing city-owned buildings and cleaning the home-economics room at a local school.
It’s all part of a seven-day community-service project called “Love San Clemente,” initiated by Cornerstone Community, San Clemente Presbyterian, Southcoast International and Worship Life Calvary churches.
On Monday, they dusted cabinets, washed dishes and cleaned ovens and refrigerators in the student kitchen at Shorecliffs Middle School.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, they picked up trash and cleaned and painted two city buildings at the former San Clemente Municipal Trap & Skeet Range so they can be used for weddings and other events.
“The idea came from a couple of us who lead churches in the community, realizing we don’t just want to do stuff to serve our church. We want the church to serve the community,” said pastor Chris Smith of Southcoast Church International.
It began when pastor Holland Davis of Worship Life Calvary Chapel approached city officials and asked what he could do to help.
Smith, who works part time as a recreation specialist for the city, said he knew of needs that aren’t being met because of city budget constraints.
“We wanted to show people the love of God in practical ways,” Davis said, “and (the city) came back to us with a few projects we could do.”
In addition to their work at the school and the city-owned buildings, volunteers are conducting a weeklong food drive for Family Assistance Ministries, where they will do volunteer work Friday. San Clemente-based FAM provides temporary shelter, food and other aid to needy people in south Orange County.
This is the first year of Love San Clemente, and Davis said “we would like to do this on an annual basis.”
He said the group is not exclusively for church members – anyone is welcome. “We wanted something from the community that whether you’re a churchgoer or not, you can be a part of and impact the city,” Smith said.
“The thing I love about it is that (Love San Clemente) is a great event for the family,” he said. “So if your family wants to get involved in and make a difference in the community, this is the way to do it.”
Volunteers will go around town to pick up donated food items and plan to deliver them to Family Assistance Ministries on Saturday.
If you would like to be part of the group or make a food donation, call Davis at 949-228-9117.
