Day of service will help schools

What started as a summer of service projects in Spokane Valley has spread to the city of Spokane.

The Greater Spokane Association of Evangelicals, together with Mayor David Condon’s office, is launching a day of service Aug. 11, when volunteers from area churches will complete small beautification projects for Spokane Public Schools and the Mead School District.

“It was the mayor’s idea,” said Dave Nerren, director of GSAE and a member of the day of service steering committee. “As Christians we are led to help our neighbor and help one another. The idea is to help the schools’ janitorial staff, which has a lot on its plate.”

Nerren said the church volunteers plan to tackle smaller jobs such as weeding, putting down bark and minor outdoor paint repair at as many schools as possible.

GSAE has put on Summer of Service, or SOS, projects in Spokane Valley for some time, but this is the first time GSAE has put on a day of service in Spokane and Mead.

Volunteer churches are still needed.

“The projects are very family-oriented,” said Nerren. “I’ll be bringing my grandkids, and I know lots of families who are doing it together.”

Nerren said churches interested in signing up can visit www.gsae.net or call GSAE’s Valley office at (509) 487-7429.

“We have about 50 churches involved between the Valley and the city of Spokane,” said Nerren, “but we are hoping for more.”