The Big Day of Sharing – a nationwide, faith-based outreach program – is coming to Enumclaw.
Only nine communities throughout the United States, and just two in the western United States, are participating in this year’s Big Day, which occurs Oct. 13. The event calls upon teenagers to rally together to make a positive impact on one “neighborhood” – in this case, the city of Enumclaw.
The local leadership team of 10 women was brought together by Brook Hickle, largely through word of mouth. They are now recruiting volunteers, with a goal of pulling together a team of 300 to 500 youth and adults.
This marks the first time The Big Day of Sharing, an offspring of the nonprofit Group Mission Trips, has been organized locally. Group Mission Trips is a ministry of Group Cares, the nonprofit division of Group Publishing, founded in 1977. Group Mission Trips organizes everything from single-day efforts in local communities to week-long, international mission trips.
Enumclaw organizers have a busy day planned. One key agenda item is sprucing up the track at JJ Smith Elementary School. The building is no longer used for public education, but houses the Women, Infants and Children program and has other community uses. The track has suffered from inattention, so organizers are hoping to “redefine” its edges and make it more user friendly.
A second project on the schedule is painting the exterior of the Enumclaw Senior Activity Center on Cole Street.
Organizers also plan to work with Senior Center Director Jobyna Nickum and identify up to 150 senior citizens who could benefit from care packages that will be delivered on Oct. 13.
“It’s just to let them know there are people out there who care about them,” said Sara Harderson, a member of the local leadership team.
The Big Day of Sharing is aimed at youth 12 to 18 years of age, but adults are welcome to join the effort. Those who sign up by Sept. 13 pay a registration fee of $29, which increases to $40 after the 13th. The fee pays for volunteers’ lunches and T-shirts, with extra funds going for items like the care packages.
Harderson said anyone is welcome to volunteer, but must be signed in through a recognized youth group. Those participating, she added, should be aware the event is part of a Christian outreach.
Anyone interested in participating or donating to the cause can visit www.thebigdayofserving.com. The Enumclaw group also has a Facebook page. Information also is available from any member of the leadership team. They are:
• Brook Hickle, community director, rockingbarh@hotmail.com
• Renae Hanson, hospitality co-leader, renaehanson@hotmail.com
• Darami Coulter, funding expert, darami@transmogrify.it
• Deanna Olney, Neighbors In Need project coordinator, ddolney777@aol.com
• Sara Hardersen, public relations leader, sarapoe@johnlscott.com
• Sarah Collins, funding leader, collinsarahe@gmail.com
• Rene’ Popke, event management leader, popke@skynetbb.com
• Shannon Poulin, hospitality co-leader, rockshan@skynetbb.com
• Jaclyn VanHoof, volunteer and projects leader, cjvanhoof@skynetbb.com
• Kris Acres, funding team, krisacres@q.com
