People surprise each other everyday with their generosity.
A group of over twenty volunteers from the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas, will join the First Baptist Church in Scotia for several days of volunteer work from July 18 to 25.
They are paying for their own airfare and have even agreed to bathe in a 30-foot shower trailer located outside of the church but that’s not what they’re coming for. The group is coming to help out around the community, and their efforts will surely be appreciated, said Eric Reamer, an associate pastor with the First Baptist Church.
They’re mostly college-age and older adults who are coming to the area,` he said.
They will be running a sports clinic in the mornings at Collins Park and then offering free concessions in the evenings on Tuesday when the U.S. Water Ski Show Team performs and Wednesday evenings during the summer concert series held in the park.
`They came last year also right around the same time and did the same kinds of things,` said Reamer.
Reamer met the pastor of Hillcrest Church, Jim Johnson, two years ago when he came to visit the area two years ago for a conference.
`He said, ‘Hey, I think we have a group of people who would like to come up and help you guys out. Do you want some help?’` said Reamer.
Reamer accepted and it seems that a summer-tradition, as well as a union, was created between these two churches.
`I try to do community things to let people know that we’re here so it evolved into an idea of doing sports stuff,` said Reamer of how it was decided on exactly what sort of community outreach the volunteers from Texas would participate in.
`Last year we did a baseball and soccer clinic in the park. Between 30 to 40 kids showed up each day,` said Reamer of the free clinic.
In the evening, they set up a bounce house and offered free snow cones and cotton candy, as well as balloons.
`We had hundreds of kids we visited all three nights last year,` said Reamer of the community’s response to the free goodies and attractions.
Besides offering a sports clinic and handing out sweet treats, volunteers will also be working to clean up the Maple Shade Cemetery in Scotia.
`They pay their own way to come,` said Reamer. `They fly up with their own families, they buy their own food.`
He said that last year he was able to put volunteers up in an apartment building in Schenectady but this year volunteers will have to sleep on air mattresses in the church building.
`We’re pulling in over a 30-foot long shower trailer that’s usually used for things like hurricane disaster relief,` said Reamer of the shower facilities that will be provided.
`It was very good, very rewarding,` said Johnson of his experience last year with his group of volunteers.
`We’re just looking forward to coming and being a part of that area out there,` said Johnson.
During the sports clinic, which runs from July 20 to 23, children will be able to learn and practice skills in football, softball, soccer and track and then compete against each other on the last day. Many of the instructors have college coaching experience and/or college athletic experience. All of the instructors have a desire to see kids grow in their ability and have some summer fun.
The clinic schedule is as follows:
Monday: Football
Tuesday: Softball
Wednesday: Soccer
Thursday: Competition (including some track events)
Kids can come for one day or all four. There is no cost to participate, however, space is limited so advance registration is requested.
The camp is open for participants who are entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Parents are invited to stay and participate if they desire.
Contact First Baptist Church at 372-3128 or send an e-mail request to [email protected] with any questions or to request a registration form.
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