Share the Experience of ShareFest 2011

Most people in their 20s or older know where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, but an event on that infamous day's ninth anniversary last year reminded me of the attitude that swept across the country in the weeks after 9/11, even if only temporarily: We came together to help others in our respective communities.

That event, ShareFest, enters its fifth year in New Lenox, and various community leaders are starting to plan for the large-scale volunteerism event, which will be on Sept. 10 this year. The original ShareFest dates back to the late 90's with a group of religious leaders in central Arkansas. Local coordinator Gary Cheney said it's, “about meeting the deepest needs in the community ... and bringing the people together to do that.” Although it is a faith-based initiative, all are welcome to participate.

Focusing on one day (and taking months upon months to bring together), the various individual events that comprise ShareFest are as numerous and varied as the group of volunteers that make it all happen. Last year's event included a number of collections, including clothing, home goods, food, toys and recyclables. The collections benefited not only the needy locally but also servicemen and women serving overseas via Angela's Mission. A book fair and a single, major restoration project as well as many smaller service projects round out the event.

It was that last item that drew me personally in to last year's ShareFest. Responding to an announcement in church, I signed up to work on any service project where help was needed. I was assigned with three others to go see a grateful older member of the community who needed help around her home.

In addition to numerous tasks inside, the resident also worried that the side door to her garage just wouldn't open anymore. The team's initial thought was to simply replace a door knob and deadbolt that were very old, didn't work very well and for which a key no longer seemed to exist.

Further investigation revealed what we all agreed was severe deterioration of not only the door itself but some of the surrounding wall, too, in this pretty well used structure.

It didn't take long for the group of assembled volunteers to decide that, in the spirit of the day, we would stay as long as it took in whatever weather we were given and do a complete job. Having a professional home repair expert on the job didn't hurt, either. With funds provided by the homeowner, we immediately bought a reasonable door and lockset (with the professional's discount even!) and gave the woman safe and secure access to her garage, which we even cleaned up a bit for her throughout that day.

At the end of the day, with other plans still for the evening, I was tired and dirty. But I wanted to do it all over again! Not only was I able to help the woman who couldn't afford what it would cost for professionals to complete the job, I was also able to do it with a small group of great people. And that scene was without a doubt playing out all over New Lenox as teams of people did service projects, gathered donations, worked the major restoration project and just generally improved life for themselves and others all together as one group.

A lot was accomplished last year, and new events that could be added this year. The planning group will continue to meet at noon on the last Tuesday of every month. If you're interested in getting involed, contact Gary Cheney at gcheney@sharefestnewlenox.com or through the ShareFest website. If nothing else, be sure to mark your calendars for Sept. 10 to volunteer that day in some way.