CareFest 2011 Review

Churches Serving Together...

“Together Evangelizing And Ministering to the Rochester Area”

CareFest Makes a Coming Alongside Difference

This year the churches of greater Rochester served our community together by reaching out to show the love of Jesus through two synchronized work-day efforts. The first project took place on Saturday, May 21st in the flood devastated Zumbro Valley area. The second event was Rochester’s 6th Annual CareFest which took place on Saturday, June 18th.

Phase 1 on May 21st focused on Zumbro Valley public areas, ball fields, recreational parks, and river banks. Activities on this day involved more than 350 volunteers ranging in age from 6 to 86. The communities of Hammond, Millville, Pine Island, and Zumbro Falls had their local gathering places, walking paths, and sporting areas re-furbished and re-finished. Over 20 local businesses and organizations along with some 30 different area churches participated in this effort.

Phase 2 on June 18th involved Rochester schools, parks, businesses, and residences as well as the follow-up projects in the Zumbro Valley. This 6th annual event included 1300 volunteers from 60+ churches who cleaned, painted, repaired, landscaped, renovated, and re-built areas on more than 90 work sites in Rochester and these neighboring communities. This was an amazing testimony to so many people !!

Working alongside Lutheran Social Services, Salvation Army, the Rochester Area Builders, United Way, community businesses, local churches, and individual donors, CareFest was able to raise over $200,000 to provide materials and resources for both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 events. The impact of these efforts as one Valley Mayor put it, “has made an incredible difference in our communities and on its people.” That is the ongoing ministry and focus of CareFest as a community connection and local outreach.

TEAM Rochester helped to promote, recruit, organize, coordinate, share, and invest in these significant restoration projects. Along with our partner ministries, TEAM is so grateful for the host of volunteers and churches who continue to reach out and serve our community in order to touch lives for Jesus. Truly, these projects were God-honoring experiences.