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by Colleen Nelson
hen Juan Sebastian Gallo was recruited to be youth director at First Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg in 2017, he arrived from Florida with a fresh eye for the beauty of Greene County and an eagerness to serve the needs of the youth he found here. He soon got to know other out-of-town youth directors Justin Rhodes from Alabama who had arrived the year before to serve at Waynesburg First Assembly of God in East View and Tim Meeks from Idaho, doing good work at Waynesburg Church of the Nazarene on Juan Sebastian Gallo (left) and Tim Meeks (right) at the Waynesburg Farmers Dark Hollow Road. Market spreading the word of the “Love Greene Project” on September 29th at the EQT REC Center. What these “new kids on the block” found here is a microcosm of what youth face in rural communities ows Road and help paint a mural on the wall at Pioacross America – plenty of scenic vistas but not neer Grocery in Rogersville. Requests are still comenough to do and more than enough drugs avail- ing in from individuals who could use the kind of help they used to get from their kids and grandkids. able to cost them their future before it begins. “At this point we need about 100 volunteers,” What could these new directors on their way to becoming ministers do to make a difference? Justin declares, looking up from his laptop to the The answer was to breathe new life into the Greene screen of things to do projected on the wall. “ProjCounty Youth Network, organized more than 20 ects will take about four hours and then we’ll return years ago to help youth ministers work together to the REC Center for lunch. How’s lunch looking, and with others in the community to tackle prob- Tim?” Tim grins from his corner. “No problem. My lems that affect us all. When it comes to not having enough to do, the good old-fashioned act of helping mom says she’s going to help and she’s a beast in the others is a great way for kids of all ages to find new kitchen. We’ll be fine. But if anyone is volunteerfriends and have fun playing on a winning team of ing at the REC center after the crews leave, they can certainly help.” spiritual proportions. Thanks to a donation from EQT, there is “We are committed to taking the message of loving each other into the world and meeting the enough money for T-shirts for the first 100 volneeds of people beyond our church walls,” Justin unteers; businesses and partnering churches and tells me at a recent planning meeting, this one held agencies have come up with donations for food, paat the First Assembly of God. He, Tim and Juan are per products, all those little things that make meetthere with others from Jefferson Baptist, WWJD ings like these so important. If it rains, outside projects will be postponed Christian Center, Mt. Morris Tabernacle and Lori Lhota of Communities that Care. This county task for another day – Love Greene is turning into an force helps bring groups together to tackle prob- ongoing project with plans for the future to be a lems in the community and her fellow organizers network of volunteers serving both nonprofits and are tireless advocates for making a difference in individuals in need of help around the house, the the lives of others. It’s 9 a.m. and they are busy yard, or just a friendly visit from a neighbor. Younger kids and their families are signing up reviewing their lists of things to do that have been ongoing for months, all those little tasks it takes to to visit residents of the county nursing homes and make their first big community venture – the Love entertain with music, songs and handmade cards. Those who stay at the REC Center on the day of Greene Project – happen. Neighbors helping neighbors – what a great service will find tables set up for making cards and idea! Love Greene has its own Facebook page full writing letters to soldiers, inmates and shut-ins of info about this day of service on September 29 along with a chance to help Tim’s awesome mom at the EQT REC Center in Waynesburg. Volunteers put on a picnic. “We’re hoping that other churches and youth have been invited to come for a registration breakfast, then fan out across the county to do a few doz- organizations join with us,” Juan tells me as we en projects, including painting at Bowlby Library, stand on a rainy Wednesday morning meeting removing carpet, painting a bedroom and build- shoppers at Waynesburg Farmers Market and leting flowerbeds at Cornerstone Bible Ministries on ting them know there are volunteers available to Willis Road, Jefferson. Storerooms will get cleaned help out if they have a project that needs done. “We at Corner Cupboard and donations sorted at the can get so much more done if we work together.” To join this new generation of neighbors helpCherry Door Thrift Store in Waynesburg. Crews of adults and frisky teens will mow and weedwack at ing neighbors, or if you know of someone who Cedar Grove Cemetery, clear trails at the Greene needs some neighborly help around the house, County Historical Society and Ryerson Station contact Youth Director Juan Sebastian Gallo at First State Park, do roadside cleanup on Rolling Mead- Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg – 724-627-6006.
OCTOBER
2018 • GreeneScene Magazine
9
