City Serve links those in need with helpers

EVERETT — Hundreds of students, young adults and parents will mobilize all over Snohomish County today to participate in 52 service projects. They’ll be painting, mowing lawns and cleaning houses.

The event is called City Serve, but it’s not so much about the cities themselves as the people in them: those who need the help and those looking to lend a helping hand.

“The event itself was an idea that came through a collaborative partnership with local churches,” said Brian Muchmore, director of Youth for Christ, who is coordinating the event in Snohomish and King counties. “While Youth for Christ supports worldwide missions for teens, this is meant to be a backyard missions trip for teens and adults.”

Last year, City Serve saw more than 400 student and adults participating in 30 service projects throughout Snohomish County. The goodwill generated from last year’s event has yielded new opportunities for City Serve that Muchmore hopes to improve upon.

“We saw a powerful example of what happens when the church comes together and mobilizes. To see how much we can get done when the church comes together is amazing,” Muchmore said.

With many local churches lending a hand to various charitable organizations, friendships and partnerships have developed.

This year, Muchmore also hopes to build upon the momentum generated by City Serve and expand into King County. Plans are under way for a summer camp dedicated to public service.

“This summer we are considering putting together a teen camp, a multi-day event of teens serving in their community,” Muchmore said. They would be able to take part in “a mission trip right where they live, teaching the benefits of a lifestyle of service right in their own city.”

Until then, the big push this year is to help as many people as possible, wherever possible.

“We are going to be out there, bringing God’s love through action and through service,” Muchmore said. “We need to develop in our kids a lifestyle of compassion.”

Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.