On Saturday, May 14th, more than 275 people from The Bridge spent the morning loving and blessing the Pyle Elementary campus and creating a very memorable day for the kids and families in the neighborhood. The principal, vice principal, and plant manager were overwhelmed with joy and gratefulness for all that was being done to make their campus more beautiful!
Here is a list of some of the things they accomplished in just a few hours:
- 700 plants were planted
- 20 yards of mulch was spread
- Classrooms were cleaned
- Windows were washed, inside and out
- Screens were replaced and repaired
- Pine needles were removed from the roof and gutters were cleaned
- Poles and handrails received a fresh coat of paint
- Storage shed was repaired and painted
- An AMAZING mural was painted on an empty wall
While all this work was going on, kids were enjoying Saturday Sports and as noon approached, the BBQ was full of hot dogs, popcorn was being bagged, and the snow cone machine was ready to go. Tickets were sold for a lunch that consisted of a hot dog, chips, soda, fruit cup and cookie - Price: $.50 What a bargain! . . . and the best part about it was that all the money would go back to the school! There were huge bounce houses for the kids, and people were enjoying the beautiful afternoon as they ate and watched the kids play.
One 75 year old volunteer from The Bridge who spent the morning painting and picking up pine needles said that he had never experienced a day like this, and he was very proud of his church for adopting a school and helping take care of it this way. Now he wants to volunteer in the classroom to read with kids. Serve Days like this bring the church into the neighborhood; their hearts are moved, they see other opportunities to serve throughout the year and relationships continue to grow. The Bridge encouraged their members to "BE THE CHURCH" . . . and that is exactly what they are doing!
It was an amazing day and much was accomplished, but the quote of the day came from a 4th grade boy - a regular at Saturday Sports - who ran up to the principal with eyes as big as could be and a smile that lit up his face and said , "Mrs. Ferdinandi, ALL THESE PEOPLE care about US!"
YES, they do, Cory!
more photos from the day
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UPDATE
Two years ago during spring break, the college group from The Bridge did a little planting on campus. Just check out what those areas look like now! AMAZING! Just image what it will look like two years from now!
