Thousands in Joplin help community in Great Service Day - KOAM TV 7

Twenty five hundred Joplinites took to the streets to brighten their community in the tenth annual "Great Day of Service." Volunteers nailed, cleared and fixed neighborhoods across Joplin.

"We're deciding that one day out of the year, we're dismissing our worship service in the morning time and just coming out here and doing a different kind of worship," said Great Day of Service, Jay St Clair.

And it's not just a few yards and alley ways, group organizers said there were thousands of Joplinites out on the streets across the city, working to make it a better place. They said the point of the project was to show their neighbors that they care.

"I think people in this town appreciate knowing that they're cared for, that people in this town care and we care because of Jesus," StClair said.

It isn't just Christian churches joining in this year. The Islamic Society of Joplin also showed its support for the cause.

"I always like to have all of the neighbors know each other, to work together, you know feel like a big family, so yeah, I feel wonderful", said Sahar Elsayed, Great Day of Service Volunteer and Islamic Society of Joplin Member.

Residents, both big and small, appreciate what volunteers are doing. Two children of one residents whose lawn got a make over, thanks to the Islamic Society of Joplin told them, "Thank you for helping the garden".

Another neighborhood resident, Deborah Curry, got her front steps fixed and lawn cleaned. She said, "Its so important because if you live in a nice community, you're going to tend to be a nice person, and you want keep everything clean."

After a morning of hard labor, the twenty five hundred volunteers met at Landerth Park for well deserved lunch and entertainment. Organizers called this years day of service a success. Six Joplin area churches participated in the event.