By Hayleigh Shobar | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: July 23, 2014 at 2:20 p.m.
More than 200 volunteers from seven churches and nonprofits congregated July 9-13 to “show God’s love” in a few tangible ways through Love San Clemente.
Participants of all ages joined together to plant trees, clean up the environment and complete nearly 20 community projects.
“I think it’s another example of the whole community coming together and being united as one,” said San Clemente resident Kelly Forbes.
WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED
July 9: Nearly 40 volunteers gathered to garden and construct little libraries at Las Palmas Elementary School.
The little libraries will function as a mailbox-esque gathering place for students to exchange books this fall. Neighbors also can share books by placing them in the box.
“To see the community come together to help clean, build, garden and prepare the school for the fall … it was a beautiful sight to see,” Principal Kristen Nelson said.
July 10: At Gilchrest House, a shelter for women in need, volunteers planted flowers around the border of the house.
Volunteers cleaned Victory House, a rehabilitation home for drug and alcohol addicts. Volunteers also provided a Vacation Bible School for Camp Pendleton families and cleaned a World War II veteran’s home.
July 11: Volunteers built a little library at Concordia Elementary School.
“I feel this little library will give kids and parents from this neighborhood an easier way to get books and reading materials so they can read individually or as a family,” said Concordia project coordinator Heather Rice, who is the mother of a Concordia student. The next project was a Friday-to-Saturday cleanup in the Del Comercio neighborhood.
July 12: Love San Clemente cleaned up San Clemente’s Pregnancy Resource Center, where women can receive advice before considering abortion. Volunteers planted trees outside of the building.
“What can I say but, ‘Wow!’” Executive Director Jane Wahl said. “The center looks so wonderful and smells so clean, and the pots outside are happy and look very inviting for our clients and volunteers.”
July 13: The week concluded with a celebration at Cornerstone Church, including testimonies, stories and a slideshow that documented the services.
