As Part of the Nationwide Great American Clean-up Event

**Stream Clean-up #1 – April 10th (4/17/10 make-up date)

**Stream Clean-jp #2 – May 22nd (5/29/10 make-up date)

**All Saturdays – 8:00 am – Noon

**Youth groups, scout troops, churches, & individuals are all welcome

**Here’s your chance to try our equipment “Funded under an agreement with TWRA”

**Stream clean-up meeting sites: to be announced

CONTACT:  If you would like to sign up or if you would like additional information, please contact Greg @ 355-5701.

Arms Around Smyrna, Middle School Mission Weekend April 9-11

Adult small group volunteers needed for Saturday projects.  As scheduling is finalized, we will have exact details concerning the projects.  Tentative project list consist of labor work at local school, Victory House, Community Storm Water Clean-up, fellowship at local nursing home.  Adult small groups are needed to sponsor a meal for the weekend.  Meals needed for Friday night, Saturday lunch or dinner.

Small groups can email Brandi Dover at brandi.dover@comcast.net, or Dana Mitchell at dana.mitchell@lifepointchurch.org.

Tutoring Opportunity

We have an opportunity for Small Groups to provide tutoring for kids at Ashley Grove…

*Ages 6-9

*Ages 12-16

*Subjects include:

*Math

*Reading

*Algebra

*Science

If your Small Group is able to assist, or if you would like additional information, please contact Eddie Mosley, Executive Director of GroupLife @ 459-3311.

Service Opportunities

Is your small group game for showing the love of Christ to a stranger? Well, I have some great ideas for you.

Remember…nothing brings a group together like a service project. This doesn’t need to be difficult or require more time than you have to give. Every group is different and has different things that speak to their hearts. Some like to love on the elderly, some are fix-it-upers, some like to cook meals for those in tough times and others don’t have time but like to collect goods or contribute specific items. God made us all different for a reason, and He needs us for ALL of those reasons.

Look over the list below. Some are one time deals and others are a long-term commitment. One of these may or may not speak directly to you but perhaps there is someone in your group that would love to do it. Please print out the list and discuss these idea at your next small group gathering.

If you want more detailed info you can call/email the person coordinating the need.

1) Town of Smyrna is participating in the nationwide Great American Cleanup Event.
Stream cleanups will be held in Smyrna on 3 Saturdays 8am-noon.

March 20(rain date: March 27)
April 10 (rain date: April 17)
May 22 (rain date: May 29)

Groups or individuals may participate.

-CONTACT: Greg 355-5701 for more information or to sign up

2) Change the life of a child with just one hour of your week by mentoring a K-5^th grader at Stewartsboro Elementary

• Read with them in the library
• Play some ball with them in the gym
• Stop by and eat lunch with them
• Show up with cupcakes or cookies on their birthday

-CONTACT: Rodney Knight (rodney327@gmail.com)

3) Gather your group and help make the city a cleaner and environmentally safer place. Greg Upham with the Town of Smyrna is responsible for storm water cleanup. There are several drainage ditch areas that collect trash & debris. A few people and an hour or two of your time can make a huge difference while also showing the city officials that LifePoint cares about our community.

-CONTACT Greg Upham at greg.upham@townofsmyrna.org

4) Smyrna has a wonderful non-profit organization that truly makes life special for those with special needs. The organization is called ABLES and they provide recreational activities for special needs children and young adults in Rutherford County. Things like bowling, softball, day camp and even dances. Nancy Scott is always in need of volunteers to help with these events and is also looking for someone good at photography to take pictures at these events so they can include them in their annuals.

-CONTACT: Nancy Scott 220-9161

5) The (CMJC) Christian Men’s Job Corp is getting very close to a relationship with LaVergne High School in which they would provide life skills & job skills to Senior (males to start) who don’t have the means to continue their education. They are in need of teachers (can be male or female) and coaches (male only) to work with these young men. This would be a 10 week commitment that would begin in October. It would require 4 hours each week or two 2-hour sessions. (evenings 6-8) With a little time & love you could change the course of a young man’s life.

-CONTACT: Chris Berkey 974-5541 or rccmjc@gmail.com

6) Love to cook? Food warms the soul! There are so many families going through tough times that need a little extra help around the house. One of the most challenging is feeding the family. We could probably give you a new list every week of people that could use our help with meals. If your small group likes to cook please let us know and we can keep you aware of families in need. This week’s family has some home renovation going on. The work being done is by one of our other small groups and is being done to help this family care for their 3 year old daughter who now suffers from a brain injury due to drowning in a pool several months ago in LaVergne. They need some light handy man help as well as meals for this family while their kitchen will be out of service. If you can help:

-CONTACT: Mike & Jacquelyn McMeen 210-3917 / 210-4488 or tide4christ@comcast.net

LifePoint also has a lot of church members that operate, run or work with local charitable organizations. To view these organizations and to get more info on their volunteer opportunities & service projects you can visit: http://www.lifepointchurch.org/local

Lastly, for you creative groups that want to come up with your own projects, here are some great ideas on how to serve those in your community:

• Hold a neighborhood or work-place food drive & donate the goods to your local food bank
• Visit a senior center/retirement home and help with social activities
• Have each group member clean out their closets & donate items to the local Salvation Army
• Purchase inexpensive coats for school children that will be without them this winter. Contact your local school to determine sizes needed & coordinate delivery
• Contact local treatment centers & see about offering transportation for sick individuals who need the help
• Contact your local dialysis center & offer to make snacks for their patients on special needs diets. (They have to sit there for hours & are typically all alone)
• Donate Blood
• Purchase an extra cup of coffee or newspaper for the person in line behind you