But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

We celebrate this message as different from all others.  You may be moved to “do something” in a way you didn’t expect. Here goes…

Continuing our effort to help fund and support the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries and making a positive contribution in the Greater New Bedford area, is our Lift-in-Love team goal for 2021.  For the past six years, we have conducted a Serve-A-Thon on the second Saturday in the month of September.  Nearly $225,000 has been raised, and interestingly, there were no overhead costs, and all monies raised went directly to the two ministries.

Here is a brief review of past Serve-A-Thons, where individuals and businesses financially sponsor people to serve/work at specific locations in our general community.  A veteran and historic park have been beautified in Fairhaven; A senior center recreation hall, a 970 ft. wooden fence, benches at Buttonwood Park, and a public library were freshly painted in New Bedford; Clothes and toys were sorted at Gifts-to-Give in Acushnet; A variety of crops have been harvested at the YMCA farm in Dartmouth.

Along with these community service projects, other innovative fund-raising activities, we called our Treasure Chest Projects, took place:  Among them was a quality talent show in New Bedford, a Fairhaven to Plymouth round- trip bike ride, an antique yard sale, an airplane parachute jump, a pogo stick skit, and other creative fitness efforts.

As part of our upcoming 7th Annual Serve-A-Thon, we will honor what the founder of the Salvation Army said back in the late 1800’s to those who complained to him about the homelessness and despairing situation that surrounded them.  General William Booth boldly said, “DO SOMETHING!”  With that command, thinking of others, transforming lives, and bringing hope has been the Salvation Army’s International definition of DO SOMETHING! for over 155 years.

This year’s Serve-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, September 25th, 2021.  A number of organizational meetings have been  held at the Salvation Army facility at 619 Purchase Street, in New Bedford.  Those interested in learning more about our 2021 projects and to DO SOMETHING! to help are welcome to visit our web page: www.lift-in-love.org , our Lift-in-Love Facebook Page, or calling the Salvation Army at 508 9976-516 and asking for Major Michael Jung.