By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – Saturday will mark the first Day of Hope, a three-part program put on by Home Sweet Home Ministries and three community churches.

The event includes an electronics and clothing recycling drive; a community wide food drive; and a landscaping and construction project at Irving School in Bloomington. Spokesperson for Home Sweet Home Matthew Drat explained the construction of a “buddy bench.”

“Kids will know that if they need a buddy and they’re not feeling like they have someone they can talk to and connect with, they’ll be able to go sit on this bench,” Drat said. “And there will be designated student leaders, who will look during a recess time and if they see someone sitting on that bench. They will go over and be their buddy.”

Lead Pastor of the First Assembly of God Church Joel Labertew said the partnership with Home Sweet Home is about giving back to Bloomington-Normal.

“There are things we can do to come alongside Home Sweet Home and accelerate their influence in the community,” Labertew said. “And my part is to take what is the love of God and translate it into love for people.”

Drat said the Day of Hope wouldn’t be possible without help from members of the First Assembly of God Church, Compass Church and Iglesia Celebracion.

“We have more than 100 volunteers from these three churches, who have given up their entire day on Saturday to do this Day of Hope,” said Drat. “That’s what hope is all about. When we come together as a community to make a difference, that’s how you spell hope.”

Food will be collected at all Bloomington Normal Jewel locations as well as Schnucks, Cub Foods and Hy-Vee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Electronics, shoes and even CRT televisions and monitors will be taken at First Assembly of God in Normal from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].