Good Things Happen Here: One Day in Everett
What if one day a year a local organization gathered a bunch of people together to go serve various nonprofits and public institutions that needed it most around Everett?
What if I told you it's been happening in Everett for the past 6 years?
New Life Church in Everett is currently ramping up for their 6th annual One Day event on June 11th; a day where close to 1,000 individuals from their congregation and beyond band together to serve the community in an all-day service event.
"We believe in serving in the community and building relationships," said Jon McIntosh. "Our focus is following Jesus together."
I spoke to one of New Life's associate pastors Jon McIntosh, a passionate newcomer to Everett, about New Life's One Day to get the who, what, where, and when.
Jon oversees New Life's relationship with local partners. "The thing that really catches my heart is caring for the community," Jon said. "I am working with my wife Wendy who is our community care director to provide services, resources, and encouragement for our [local partners]."
"Traditionally we look for twenty organizations that are caring for the community and have sought to care for them."
One Day is a group effort that started six years ago when Pastor Jim Romack challenged the church to give one day to the community. "What if for one day we showed the city of Everett how important they are to us? What if one day together we cared for our community?"
Since then One Day has evolved, but the spirit of the cause remains the same. Each year they go to different local nonprofits and ask what projects they need done.
"We say 'what is it that you need', and then we provide the man-power and the resources whenever possible to make that happen."
This year they plan on doing service projects at 18 different locations, including Homes of Hope, Everett Housing Authority, Pregnancy Resource Center, as well as a variety of different sites for the Everett School District.
"Whenever we have the opportunity to resource the folks that are resourcing other folks I get very excited about that…I think that every kid that comes to school needs to be excited to come to that building…Maintenance folks who care a lot about the kids are sometimes stretched a bit thin, so we're excited that we can come alongside and help beautify those campuses."
Usually taking place on a Saturday, One Day will be doing all their service projects on Sunday the 11th, with a community gathering in the morning at Memorial Stadium (Aqua Sox Stadium) that's open to the public.
After Jon and Wendy met with the maintenance teams and heard their needs, Memorial Stadium offered, “If you’re going to come and work at the stadium, why don’t you just meet at the stadium?” So, in the spirit of collaboration, one giant gathering of t-shirt laden volunteers shall commence right at 11 AM.
Most of the projects being done around town are hands-on, labor intensive. “We’re always in need of skilled labor; we’re building garden boxes at one of the areas. We’re remodeling the boutique for the Pregnancy Resource Center and installing molding, so folks that are skilled in that work would also be helpful.”
Can’t lift a dirt bag worth, well, a bag of dirt? There’s still ways for you to be involved. About six different areas throughout the day will have easy “work” stations set up for seniors and children, including making cards for firefighters and police officers and sorting through donations brought in to various nonprofit warehouses.
Needless to say this is going to be a great event. If you feel inspired to join the New Life in their One Day community day, find out more info on their website here or through their app in the Android or Apple app stores (just search New Life Everett).
Anna is a freelance graphic designer based out of Everett. She also happens hang with Tyler and Garret at Live in Everett, helping manage the daily doings of the site. And...she's kinda a nerd (tehe).
