A call for volunteerism is heard and acted upon

A Biblical passage: "The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way" [Exodus 13:21].

Certainly it was not a voice from the wilderness but a voice amidst my fellow St. Paulians when I called you to take action—as a steward of time. You've lent me your listening ears and gave me your helping hands.  

It was early Saturday cloudy morning on September 27, 2014 when I went to the park to secure a place where I can hang St. Paul's Church banner. I hanged it in good visibility area, a good site next to the Ka Ipu Aina Matson trailer. It was a first venture, a first experience, and a first of its kind: Adopt a Park Project. 

Yes, Neal Blaisdell Park has been adopted by St. Paul's Church with 55 volunteers who actually showed up.  

Few minutes after I set up the table and the banner, came Beatriz and Virique Capati with two boxes of bottled water. Then, in a minutes later, Emma Valdez arrived with her other three friends, Leonila Malasig, Charito Pluta and Leticia Bocoboc. Minute by minute other volunteers came in.  

I conferred with Mr. Clinton Jamile, park and recreation supervisor. Kindly enough, he understood the weather situation. His decision prevailed. We did it under a questionable weather with all safety precautions.

Thank you for hearing the call. Thank you for your action despite of the unstable weather. Thank you for the numbers you brought in. Thank you for your enthusiasm, commitment and participation.

What amazed me unexpectedly is the showing up of our priest Rev. Canon Randolph VN Albano with his camouflage black hat [dolpo] walking down under the drizzling morning. [A week before this event, Fr. Randy excused himself because he has a prior commitment as to officiate a funeral service which is a real priority as a priest. Thankfully, the services was postponed that made Aporan to be with us.] 

It’s wonderful and great things happened too that most of the Eucharistic ministers came with their big hats or umbrella and were unfolded when the rain began to drop like Lolita Peralta, Maribel Duldulao, Fay De Jesus with the two big pots of miki, Fe Agullana, with some dessert and other who brought in something for the merienda.

Officers of the Bishops Committee like Marcelo Acopan, Erlinda Butay, Phyllis Miller, Emma Valdez, [BASP] Irene Viernes, other members like Carlos Viernes, [LOSP] Raquel Ramirez, [YOSP] Eddie Agullana, Peter Arios, Rodel Dureg, Allan Arellano, Leticia Bocoboc, Mila Julian, Lydia Baniaga, Warlita Baltazar, Vicky Caraang, Mona Supnet, Ely Bareng, Rafael and Cion Villanueva, John Villanueva, Romeo and Agnes Coloma, Deogracias Perez, [with cane] Philip Butac, Danilo and Eden Esman with their two dozen of bottled water, Leonila Malasig, Charito Pluta, Efren and Yolanda Ramelb, Danilo Duldulao, Samson Dacanay, Albina Gamponia, Rey and Normita Galvadores, Sola Palaroan, Alyssa Palaroan, Ofelia Nagtalon, Jordan Bungcayao. Lucy Damo, Teymy and Revelyn Dalere, Mr. & Mrs. Alfonso Lucas, Josen Agcaoili, and two young kids Jasmine Agcaoili, Jayden Agcaoili, and others.

What is good for Neal Blaisdell Park as SPC's adopted park, with a 29.5 acres city park, is it is just like a second home for SPC particularly for the Annual Family Picnic each Labor Day or to the closest date of SPC's foundation on August 12, 1959. Each year we use its pavilion for picnic and the second mass service. 

Evidently, of course, Adopt a Park is a change of course for our community service. In the early 1996, we engaged our youth, our women and laymen group to the Adopt a Highway for just a plain community service without anything in return. Thanks to a friend in the community outside SPC who works at the City Hall and gave us the lead to get such a wonderful project that augment our church fund. 

Thank you to Beatriz and Virique Capati, Gloria Yoro, and others who donated bottled water, condiments and other items for the refreshments.

Thank you to Dwayne Bueno and Linda Butay who helped me with those necessary documents as required for applying for such a grant.  

Thank you to Mr. Clinton Jamile, City and County Parks & Recreation, to Keahi Birch, Matson Navigation, Inc., and Jean Jeremiah, OFCC, in most follow-ups about the project.  

Now, the clean-up has been done. As Fr. Randy said, if there is first move, there should be a second and third moves. We look forward with high hope our renewed application will be granted so we will do it again—with your help. 

A saying goes: "If you want to succeed, you must strike out—a new path rather than to travel the same road of yesteryears" [John Rockefeller]   

It’s never too late to change a successful agenda, as there is always tomorrow for another time for a better harvest.