HOPE — Consider it a part-town cleanup, part-social gathering, part-worship service, part-picnic, part-concert and part-food drive.
All of this will take place at the “Hope Rising” event, which is planned for Saturday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the town of Hope.
On Saturday morning, residents of the northeast Bartholomew County town of 2,200 residents will find three dumpsters at the Hope Utilities building at 529 Mill St. In addition, the county’s recycling trailer will be there as well, organizers said.
Beginning at 8 a.m., volunteers from the four largest churches in Hope will be sent to different neighborhoods to help with the cleanup effort, according to Hope Ministerial Association representative Pastor Ed Cottrell.
“We’ll divide the town up, and let each church go in a certain area,” said Cottrell, who heads the Hope United Methodist Church. “We are already getting a few people calling to have a scheduled pickup (of trash and recyclables).”
This service is intended to assist those physically unable to take their refuse and recyclables to the dumpsters. Volunteers will have a few trucks, as well as individuals, to pick items up. In addition, participants will also be walking along town streets, searching for loose litter to pick up, the pastor said.
Those capable of bringing their refuse and recyclables to the Utilities building will be assisted in unloading their vehicles by members of the Main Street of Hope, Inc., Cottrell said. Items that cannot be accepted include tires, paints, propane tanks, large appliances, televisions, computers and solvents, the minister said.
Multiple donation containers will be available to help the Hope Food Pantry and the Hope Moravian Church’s Blessing Box, which is a small pantry about the size of a large kitchen cabinet that is open all the time. The Blessing Box is usually stocked with goods like nonperishable food items, toiletries, baby formula, and other essential needs.
Several locations, especially outside the businesses surrounding the Hope Town Square, will also have donation boxes to collect money for the town’s food pantry and the church’s Blessing Box. Monetary donations are likely to have the best impact, since Hope town officials have agreed to match cash or check contributions up to $1,000.
Meanwhile, boxes and shopping carts will be set outside several Hope area establishments for acceptance of nonperishable food items. In addition, First Financial Bank in the Major Shopping Center will have containers available to receive documents for shredding, he said.
At noon Saturday, most of the major restaurants in Hope like Willow Leaves, El Jefe Tonala, Swiss Maid Country Mart and Cornett’s Corner Cafe will be selling box lunches for volunteers and others to buy. However, residents are reminded that the entire Hope Town Square is now closed, except for the playground area.
In order to help retailers hurt by COVID-19 restrictions this year, organizers of the “Hope Rising” event are also encouraging all residents to visit one or more Hope-area business between noon and 1 p.m., Cottrell said.
At 1 p.m., there will be a community prayer service held between Swiss Maid and Willow Leaves, just north of the closed town square on Jackson Street. It’s purpose is to seek divine assistance in helping members of the community pull through today’s tough times.
Following the prayer, music will be performed by Dale Secrest until 2 p.m. Volunteers who had not completed their cleanup can finish their work anytime after the prayer of blessing, Cottrell said.
Those who would like more information about “Hope Rising”, including scheduling a pickup, should contact the Hope United Methodist Church at 812-546-1149 and leave a message for Cottrell.
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Hope Rising
Schedule for Sept 19
8 a.m.– noon: Volunteers will be picking up refuse and recyclables when arranged by elderly or disabled. All others are asked to bring those materials to the Hope Utilities Building, 529 Mill St. First Financial Bank in Major Center will accept documents for shredding.
Noon – Several eateries around the Hope Town Square will be selling box lunches. Patrons are encouraged to drop by retailers located just outside the square.
1 p.m – “Hope Rising” service with prayer of blessing in empty lot between Swiss Maid Country Store and Willow Leaves. Music will be provided by David Sechrest. After the service, volunteers who did not finish covering their areas are encouraged to complete their work.
8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Donation boxes for non-perishable food and monetary donations will be placed throughout the downtown Hope area to benefit the Hope Food Pantry and the Blessing Box at Hope Moravian Church. Monetary contributions will be matched dollar-to-dollar up to $1,000 by the Hope Town Council.
For more information, contact Pastor Ed Cottrell at the Hope United Methodist Church at 812-546-1149 and leave a message.
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