More than 170 people participated in 17 service projects in Andover and surrounding communities as part of South Church’s 13th annual Day of Service.
Volunteer teams moved compost bins at the Andover High School garden, visited Atria Marland Place to help residents create their own seasonal wreaths, and sorted 1,400 pounds of food at the Neighbors In Need warehouse in Dundee Park.
Other teams cleared fallen trees from the Deer Jump trail along the Merrimack River and visited homes to rake leaves and clear branches knocked down by Superstorm Sandy.
Children helped out by making crafts to be delivered to nursing homes, baking cookies for seniors, cleaning Cronin playground in Lawrence, and writing more than 130 holiday cards for veterans. These cards will be sent to the American Red Cross to be distributed in December as part of their Holiday Mail for Heroes program.
The Central Street church held the Day of Service on Saturday, Nov. 3.
According to organizer Emily Strong, “Watching others struggle after Hurricane Sandy reminds us how important it is to take care of our neighbors and our community. So many people came to help out, we were thrilled to be able to complete all the jobs. We look forward to doing it again next year, without the hurricane.”
