On-Going Rhythms
We encourage you to explore your passions and be on-mission in your local community. Consider serving with one of our church partners, Love INC and Downey Elementary School, or with one of the many good ministries in Central PA.
Downey Elementary is a wonderful but under-resourced school in Harrisburg. Working with Downey gives us the opportunity to help in a location that is culturally different from Hershey but is still nearby. We get to encourage teachers and build relationships with staff, students, and families. Giving support to the staff helps them feel encouraged in an area where there often isn’t much of that. One way to do that is through providing monthly treats. One teacher recently commented that the monthly treat “lifts everyone’s spirits up and often is much-needed. Thanks soooo much for loving Downey.” Another staff member remarked, “Wow!!! You all are awesome. We appreciate you!”
We are looking for additional people to join the Teacher Encouragement team. This involves preparing treats such as cookies or cupcakes for the Downey staff. Treats can be dropped off at Hershey Free. You do not need to participate every month. Contact Karen Markey at kmarkey25@gmail.com for more information.
Love INC of Greater Hershey works with church and communitry partners to facilitate solutions that lift up individuals and families in need. They describe themselves this way: "We are connectors. We connect churches to one another and their community. We connect community members to resources. We connect people with God. We create spaces where church volunteers and community members' lives intersect and reciprocal transformation and growth can occur."
Hope Within is a free primary medical, dental, and extremely low cost counseling center serving the medically uninsured, financially eligible residents of Lancaster, Dauphin & Lebanon Counties.
Short-Term Opportunities
Block Party Trailer
As a church, we love our community and seek ways to connect with our neighbors, have fun, and be relative. Our block party trailer is a way to embody that vision. We use the trailer to engage in pre-existing community events so that we are going where people already are versus asking them to come to us. The trailer is available for groups or individuals within the church to sign out and use in their neighborhoods for block parties or other events! See below for more details.
Christmas in the Park | December 12 | 6 to 8 PM | Patriot Park
Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities at our outdoor event which includes games for kids, performances by local choirs, and a carol walkthrough.
LIFT Application
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
Our vision is for every person at Hershey Free to serve not just within the walls of the church but to reach out to our community. God has positioned the people of Hershey Free Church to be involved in many different community organizations throughout our region. We want to enable you to be agents of change and encourage you and the organizations you support. We want to celebrate the involvement of our congregation as you serve in various organizations that seek the flourishing of our communities.
To that end, Hershey Free Church’s Local Impact Fund for Transformation (LIFT) awards grants to local, non-profit organizations where individuals or groups from Hershey Free actively serve. Grants will be awarded for $500 to these organizations if certain criteria are met and funds are still available.