The Big Serve coming up

There are a lot of things that need to be taken care of in Nevada and Vernon County and most of the time all you hear are complaints about them, with no real solution offered.

Lynda Jones is planning a project to address at least some of these issues.

The Big Serve. A weekend of people helping other people with projects that need to be done.

Right now she is looking for volunteers to participate in The Big Serve on Sept. 23 and 24 and help their neighbors in Vernon County address some of these issues.

“The idea is for people who can rake, mow, weed eat and pick up sticks, help others mow, weed eat, etc.,” Jones said. “If they can’t do those things they can do other things.”

Perhaps they can sew, cook or if nothing else sit at a table and register people, she said

“People using their skills and abilities to help and contribute to others. Neighbors looking out for each other,” she said.

“I see you are having a having a hard time with that overgrowth in your yard. How would you like some help? If someone has a large pile of something in their backyard, go to the website and sign up for help,” she said.

Jones said that Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, she would be set up at Caveners, at the corner of Austin and Cedar to talk to people about the project.

The goal is to have individuals work together to complete projects like brush pick up, mowing, painting, yard work, minor repairs, car cleaning, dog washing, trash pickup and a variety of other things.

Jones is encouraging people to go to the website for the project, www.BigServeVCMO.com and sign up to volunteer or propose a project.

The more projects the better. A lot of times with something like this you run out of projects, and we don’t want to run out of projects,” she said.

“I heard about The Big Serve in Pittsburg, in an article in the PSU Alumni newsletter several years ago that was talking about the working in The Big Serve,” Jones said.

I work here [at the First Christian Church] and go to the Life Church. I know a lot of people in town. I know some things that need to be taken care of. This is something I can do to contribute,” she said.

“A lot of people don’t have the time or know how to organize a huge event, but they do have time to work on a Saturday morning or afternoon or Sunday afternoon or the whole weekend,” she said.

“Someone has to organize it and that’s what I do. I organize things,” Jones, who was the chamber of commerce director about 25 years ago, said.

She said she talked to the Ministerial Alliance several months ago and got their endorsement for the project and is using its mailing address.

Jones said she already has had some volunteer help. The logo for the website was done by a local artist Michelle Mooneyham, and Cyndia Haggard created the website for the project.

Jones said she is considering doing a similar project twice a year, in the fall and the spring. And another group is considering doing something on a monthly basis.

How can you help?

• Volunteer to serve on Sept. 23 and/or 24.

• Be a team captain and recruit volunteers from your organization.

Sign up neighbors or family members who need minor help around their home or yard.

• Donate money for materials for projects. Donations should be made to the Ministerial Alliance, P.O. Box 73, Nevada, MO 64772, with a note that the donation is for the Big Serve.