On June 26th, from 9am-3pm, State Street Community Church will be partnering with the LaPorte Parks Department in helping to clean and beautify the parks around LaPorte.  Because of significant budget cuts and financial problems facing our city, the Parks Dept has been left with a smaller staff and a great need.  As people that believe in socially redemptive acts, we will be doing our part to help our community be a better (more cleaner) place.

Dean Heise, the Parks Superintendent, has been with the department for 35+ years.  In all of his time, he hasn’t seen a more challenging time for the city and her parks.  None of the parks in LaPorte have closed, but the type of care that can be provided has been diminished with the reality of a smaller staff.  Today, I was given the chance to talk with Dean and to offer our help.  Dean jumped on the offer and I’m excited about doing what we can to help our community.

The work that needs to be done is diverse; painting, cleaning, weeding, mowing, etc.  If we get a significant amount of participation, we will make a serious dent into the improvements that need to be done.  Teams will be formed that will come together at SSCC on Saturday morning and be sent out to accomplish certain tasks.  We will have a sign-up at State Street this weekend.  If you’re not able to make it, contact me and we’ll make plans on you attending.  We’ll be providing lunch as well.

If you’re not a part of the State Street community and would like to help, you’re welcome to join us as well.  If you’re able to provide lawn equipment, yard tools, painting equipment, or anything else in that realm, please consider helping us out.