On Saturday, July 18, more than 300 people wearing red T-shirts took part in the first-ever Serve Day event, which was sponsored by The Rock Church of Scarborough.

The goal was for church members to help the local Scarborough community “in a tangible, meaningful way,” according to Sue Davis, one of the organizers. The volunteers participated in more than 13 different service projects, which were selected for having the “most (positive) impact,” Davis said.

Volunteers cleaned and spent time with the residents of the Maine Veteran’s Home and Pine Point Nursing Home, moved furniture for Furniture Friends, did landscaping and yard work at the Sandpiper Children’s Center, landscaped and cleaned up at various cemeteries and offered physical labor to help local families affected by illness.

Davis said in addition to the good work the volunteers completed this weekend, many have also vowed to become regular volunteers at some of the nonprofits, particularly at the veteran’s and nursing homes.

“The volunteers ranged in age from 5 to 86 and came from all walks of life,” Davis said. “Everyone that participated came back with a stronger sense of community awareness, which was one of the goals. One of the other goals was to touch lives in a meaningful way and show the community the love of Christ in a practical way.”

Serve Day was so successful that the church has already scheduled its second annual event for July of next year. The church will also have a booth at the upcoming SummerFest celebration on Aug. 21.

See www.trcportland.com for more information about The Rock Church, including services and other programs.

– Kate Irish Collins

More than 300 members of The Rock Church spread out across Scarborough on Saturday to provide community service labor to area nonprofits. This was the church’s first Serve Day event. Courtesy photosHelping to clean up the historic Dunstan Cemetery on Saturday are Jack and Dot Carr, members of The Rock Church in Scarborough.