By ANDREA POTEET
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — When Wyandotte Family Church found itself host to 90 teens from a national Assemblies of God youth convention looking for service projects last summer, the Rev. Jeremy Gyorke had an idea.
The Week in Wyandotte event paired the teens with church parishioners to improve all city parks and provide free family fun for area residents.
“It was a huge success,” Gyorke said. “This year, we don’t have 90 teens coming, but we’re trying to duplicate it.”
This year, the group again will attempt to clean all the parks and then focus on other projects, like removing trash near schools, sweeping city sidewalks and tending to flower beds, if the park projects are completed in time.
“We’ll have to really push it, but I think we can do it,” Gyorke said. “As we get things done, we can keep cracking down the list and serving.”
The event, beginning Wednesday, will include a children’s outreach program each day. The programs, including songs, skits, games and clowns, are scheduled for 10 a.m. every day of the event, with Wednesday’s at Bishop Park, Thursday’s at Pulaski Park and Friday’s at VFW Park (11th and Cherry).
The event will culminate with a finale Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Pulaski Park. It will feature a 3-on-3 youth basketball clinic, a kid’s zone with inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and clowns, a snack booth and live music from Christian bands Chuck Tocco Band and Nick Beaudrie Band.
Gyorke said the party-like atmosphere of the event helps reinforce the church’s slogan: “faith, family and fun.”
“We believe if families can spend more time together and be healthy, it affects a lot of other areas of society,” he said. “Our heart is really to bring families together and provide opportunities for them to connect in a fun, safe environment.”