Sisters salutes...

John Gerke:

Thanks to many people's efforts and contributions, the 2nd annual "I Heart Sisters" event went well. About 200 volunteers from area churches and the community gave up their Saturday and pitched in together to perform a number of tasks for our city, schools, veterans, seniors, single moms, FAN and the Kiwanis Food Bank.

Volunteers cut, split and stacked about 20 cords of firewood that will be distributed this winter to needy families.

Planting beds at the schools and the administration building were weeded and raked.

A new fence was built on the east side of the school administration building.

Pine needles and cones were raked up at veterans' and seniors' homes.

The Sisters RV Park was cleaned up by Miss P's 2nd and 3rd grade class from Sisters Christian School.

The baseball field at Sisters Middle School was cleaned up.

Most of the bark path around the playground at Sisters Elementary School was refurbished.

Most of the interior of a house was patched and painted for a handicapped person.

Windows were washed, handyman chores were done, food was collected, and $500 of food vouchers were purchased for the Food Bank -the list goes on.

Then, when the day was done, everyone was treated to a great lunch provided by men and women of St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church.

None of it was possible without the volunteers and the project leaders - my heartfelt thanks to all of you! Thanks to Sisters Rental and Ray's for contributing; to Gary Pepperling and Leland Bliss at the school district; to Nicole Montalvo at the City of Sisters. Thanks to Pastor Ernie Tafalla and the Three Sisters Fellowship for special support, and to the International Foursquare Church and Bend's Westside Church for overall coordination and funding. Thanks to the community for being open to our efforts. Above all, thanks to my Lord for inspiring so many people to show His love through their actions!