Local church volunteers help clean up parks in Stockton

Armed with trash bags, gloves, food, and an encouraging word, more than 400 volunteers from LifeSong Church of Stockton descended on Kentfield, Gleason, and American Legion parks Saturday morning to clean up and to help residents in need.

“We want to show our love to Stockton,” said Sonia Allen. “We want to do all we can to make it happen.”

LifeSong’s efforts were part of Serve Day, an international volunteer movement by churches to serve their communities.

The volunteers cleaned up American Legion Park from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wearing black “Love My City” T-Shirts, the small army of workers picked up trash, leaves, and junk from the park.

Meanwhile, at Kentfield Park, volunteers from LifeSong’s Bread of Life ministry passed out nonperishable food to anyone in need. At Gleason Park, volunteers assisted homeless people with supplies, including hygiene items, wrapped snacks and clothing.

“We want to see the city cleaned up,” said Allen. “Stockton has a bad rap, but there are a lot of people who love their city.”

Allen moved from Tracy to Stockton with her husband Bennie in 2022 to continue her work with those in need, she said.

Rio and Rita Coleman of Stockton directed efforts at Gleason Park on Saturday morning, as volunteers passed out clothes, food, and more than 200 hygiene packets to homeless people, while Marcus Vasquez, a barber, gave free haircuts to homeless people.

“When I was out here, nobody brought Jesus to me,” said Rio Coleman, who has been attending LifeSong since 2020.

Rio battled homelessness and addiction for eight months in 2013, living at the Gospel Center Rescue Mission in Stockton. He got clean in 2014, married his wife Rita, and has been serving in the community assisting homeless people in Stockton ever since.

“We’re here to remind them that they are not forgotten, and Jessu loves them,” said Rio Coleman of the church’s efforts to help homeless people. “I remember being out there and how hard it was. More than anything, we should give people hope.”

Lifesong Church will have its next volunteer day Aug. 10. More information is available at lifesong.net

Read published article: https://stocktonia.org/news/culture/2024/07/14/local-church-volunteers-help-clean-up-parks-in-stockton/

Photo by Rio Coleman