Seems like we should start singing the old song, "We Are the World"... after Neighborhood Fest yesterday...
Jean and I think about 300 people showed up. I have no idea how many hot dogs and brats we gave away, the chicken was also a hit...leftovers will be used to supply Kids Club's family meals in the fall. It was fun to help serve the food, because I got to meet and greet everyone.
It was a hot day (about 85 I think), but we (with the help of the Salvation Army) kept the water and juice flowing. What a great partnership.
Kids moms, dads, grandparents...walking around with free bags of hallmark stuff, prizes and other little things. The water balloon game was a hit with the teens. I heard 50 kids got ID's to help them stay safe. There was also this awesome balloon person...kids had all kinds of balloon animals.
Games, face paints, bingo, the jumpy thing...it was all fun.
One little girl said, "My mom said she didn't really need a goldfish, but I got her one anyway."
One mom said, "Thank you for doing this for our neighborhood."
Another dad said, "This was great, a great party...we needed this."
My friend Nick was so excited that the firefighters lifted him up from his wheelchair and put him in the fire engine. Wow. Made his week and mine too.
I had people ask about the Bible verse on my t-shirt, about the church, about the languages spoken here, about youth programs...the resource Center surveyed folks, the Counseling Center gave out cards and free advice...DuPage County came and helped people know what they're able to offer.
Thank you everybody. Thank you neighborhood.
I know we loved our neighbor yesterday (that's what Jesus said to do)...and maybe, just maybe we took a step toward showing our neighbors how to love each other.
