the table "blessing weekend"

Below is a blog post from Aly Hoover, Director of the Whatcom Volunteer Center's Chore Program. The link to the Whatcom volunteer center is now on the left. The Table partnered with Chore a couple weekends ago as part of our Blessing Weekend (a monthly expression of our rhythm of Blessing neighbors in Jesus' name). Aly wrote about The Table's participation. (The Whatcom Volunteer Center's blog: http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/category/blog/)


"Faith Community Helps Neighbors in Bellingham" - Aly Hoover

On a cold, wet January morning, most people would prefer to be cozy at home. But for two church service groups from Birchwood Presbyterian and The Table, their preference was to assist community members.

Birchwood’s Second Saturday group is led by Sharon Stahl. She collaborates with the Foodbank farm, Habitat for Humanity, the Chore Program, and others to make a difference the second Saturday of every month. This past Saturday the group helped out at three Chore sites. With thirteen people, they completed yard work in the Columbia neighborhood, cleaned apartments in Fairhaven, and put away Christmas decorations for a couple in north Bellingham.

I met with the team sent to the Columbia neighborhood, and I barely said hello before they had rakes, trimmers, and weed whackers in hand. When I returned a few hours later to collect yard tools, I was amazed at how much the group accomplished despite the dampness. The client was equally pleased, and remarked several times on the kindness of the volunteers. “I am so blessed,” he said of their visit. I especially want to recognize the dedication of Fred Stahlbush, who was the first to greet me at the project site. He made two trips to the county dump just to make sure all yard debris was taken care of, which is above and beyond what was expected.

Later on Saturday I met with the The Table. Aaron Walters and his wife had been previous volunteers with Chore, and I appreciate that they thought of us for their group’s service project. Eleven people arrived ready to clean apartments at Chuckanut Square, a high-rise apartment building for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. Two generous souls were willing to break off from the group to help a senior gentleman with his grocery shopping. I also appreciate Chuckanut’s resident manager, Ernie Swordmaker, for showing the group which apartments needed the most assistance.

Chore is grateful to have a faith community so willing to serve people in need. Our clients will not soon forget the kindness and hard work of Birchwood Presbyterian and The Table’s volunteers.