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Tag: Clean Up

Helping Get Rid of Rubbish on Australia Clean Up Day

Helping Get Rid of Rubbish on Australia Clean Up Day

Yellow and white rectangles were laid neatly on the ground, one row above the other. As odd as it seemed, this clearly wasn’t random rubbish strewn across the ground. Something was happening here. There was a plan. A closer look revealed that these were actually rubbish bags that had been carefully laid out. Considering this all happened on Clean Up Australia Day, it made perfect sense.

Every year on the first Sunday of March, Clean Up Australia Day is held throughout the entire country. It’s an effort that was started in 1989 after Ian Kiernan noticed heavy pollution and trash in the various waterways that he passed through during a yacht race. He was moved to action and as soon as he returned, aimed to clean up the waterways, starting at Sydney Harbor in his home country. Fast-forward almost 30 years later, with over 7,253 sites and over 587,000 volunteers nation-wide, the Clean Up Australia Day effort continues to inspire others to take action.

One such group are the volunteers of the INC Giving Project from the various Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) local congregations across Australia. They were the ones responsible for the yellow and white rubbish bags on the ground, which they later filled to capacity with as much rubbish they could find. The broad reach of the Church Of Christ, along with the versatility of the INC Giving Project, made these volunteers well suited for an effort like Clean Up Australia Day. This was in full display as men and women, young and old, came together to clean up Australia’s parks, waterways and public spaces.

“…gain a deeper understanding of what volunteering is truly rooted in.”

 

 

These sorts of efforts benefit communities in so many ways. The obvious benefit of course is the environmental impact. Beyond this though is the improvement of societal health, which we see any time multiple communities are united by one common goal. It gives many the opportunities to meet and interact with people from outside of their own neighborhoods and social circles, and ideally, gain a deeper understanding of what volunteering is truly rooted in.

This is the ultimate goal of the INC Giving Volunteers; to pass along the message of kindness for the community and care for the environment, and above all the message of God’s teachings- not only through words but through the actual work and labor that is put in to volunteering.

 

“…feel free to grab a bag and jump right in…”

 

So the next time you see yellow and white rubbish bags that are laid out neatly on the ground, don’t worry. No need to call a clean up crew, because chances are the crew is already there; and since you are already there staring at a neat row of bags, feel free to grab a bag and jump right in and join the INC Giving Volunteers on their latest effort to do good.

“…join the INC Giving Volunteers on their latest effort to do good.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Events, Giving in Action, TipsTagged #DoGood, Acts of Kindness, Australia, Clean Up, environment, family volunteering, giving in action, group volunteering, iglesianicristo, incgiving, kids volunteering

INCGiving News: Families in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah Kick Off the New Year with a Community Clean Up

INCGiving News:  Families in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah Kick Off the New Year with a Community Clean Up

 

The start of a new year – many clean out their closets, dust off the cobwebs in their homes, or even sweep away bad habits; all, to improve their quality of life. But these INCGiving volunteers had even more plans – to clean up their city’s streets, to help improve the quality of life for their neighbors.

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More than 1,100 volunteers consisting of young and old alike, individuals and families, started their year united in their cause to do good. Members in local congregations across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah took to the streets their care for their chapel surroundings and local neighborhoods in the District-wide INCGiving Project Community Clean Up.

“The Church of Christ provides for spiritual guidance, and your support in community projects such as neighborhood clean up in our city impacts quality of life,” said National City Vice Mayor Jerry Cano, in San Diego County. “Thank you for your continued efforts in making our community a great place to live, work, and play.”

More than 30 public parks, recreation centers and beaches were attended to, many in connection with their local government and community partners.

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“Arroyo Grande Sports Complex was chosen by the Clark County for our group, because it is the most neglected park county in the area that needed much work and attention,” said Nevada resident Jerome Aguinaldo. “So we accepted and took the challenge to clean the complex and bring it back to life, while also propagating [the gospel] throughout the cleaning.”

Like Jerome, many INCGiving groups used the opportunity to not only clean their city’s streets, but also share the words of God along the way.

“We are truly blessed to have fulfilled our INCGiving Park Clean Up and we have coincided it with our God’s Message Magazine Saturation Drive … we were also able to share our faith with others by giving away free God’s Message magazines and pamphlets.”

Volunteers brought with them their faith and their willingness to make a difference; they also brought each other, a chance to spend quality family time together reinforcing strong Christian values.

Jewell Buenavista posted, “I love that our kids are learning the importance of helping our community.”

The INCGiving Community Clean up is just one of many outreach activities that are taking place around the world. Most recently, cities in Northern California held Winter Wear Drives and Neighborhood Appreciation Days, along with other community initiatives in Honolulu, Hawaii and Perth, Australia.

Janice Blanco states, “I love checking out the ‪#‎incgiving hashtags [on social media] and seeing that though we are from different parts of the world, we are united in the same activity.”

For more news on INC Giving Projects happening in your region, or details on how you can participate in a volunteer opportunity near you, visit incgiving.org or speak with your District’s Christian Family Organization officers!

Community Clean Up Sites
Van Zanten Park, El Cajon
Boys & Girls Club, Temecula
El Toyon Park, National City
Sycamore Grove Park, Los Angeles
Valyermo Park, Irvine
Alma Hoffman Park, Montclair
Jane Reynolds Park, Lancaster
Wilson Park, Torrance
Arroyo Grande Sports Complex, Las Vegas
Victory Park, Pasadena
Otay Main Road, San Diego
La Jolla Shores, San Diego
Siemon Park, Bakersfield
Barnes Park, San Gabriel Valley
Mason Park, Woodland Hills
Collett Park, Corona
Los Cerritos Park, Long Beach
Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail, Santa Clarita
Cecil Park & Kalibo Park, Delano
Guajome Park, Vista
Phoenix Chapel compound
Selleh Park, Tempe

Photos Contributed By: Southern California – Bro. Andy Canlas, Bro. Gebb Barrientos, Bro. Nelson Salvatera, Bro. Gavin Johnson, Bro. Rj Mangona, Sis. Letty Alda, Sis. Jewell Buenavista, Sis. Tess Herreria, Bro. Henry Papa, Bro. Jordan Sevillano

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Posted in EventsTagged Clean Up, Community, incgiving, Kindness, Park, Southern California, Volunteers
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