Community Event to Help Grove Residents Grows

By Desiree Parker Tuesday, August 02, 2011

An idea that started to snowball earlier this summer has turned into an avalanche of good will for residents of the Grove community.

Local photographer Monica Sigmon and her partner, Michael Taylor, decided in June that they wanted to do a little something to help residents of Grove. The idea turned into the Grove Summer of Love, which will culminate with a Celebration Day this Saturday. Since the two came up with the plan, people throughout the community have rallied to the cause and contributed their time and skills to make the Grove Summer of Love a much bigger success than anyone expected.

“There is such a variety of ways for people to be involved,” says Sigmon, who will be providing free family portraits for residents, “and people are just being so creative!”

The original plan (read a previous story here) was for Sigmon and Taylor to take free family portraits of Grove residents (they will be taking pictures of 125 families Saturday, which will include 275 adults and 181 children). Pretty soon, people started wanting to help out. And then a few more wanted to help. And even more after that.

The Carousel Children’s Boutique held a clothing drive so families could have new outfits to wear. They have collected over 2,000 items of clothing so far, and volunteers are currently working on sorting the donations into outfits, Sigmon reports.

Since June, several other folks have joined the Summer of Love efforts, including dentist Dr. Stacey Hall of the Norge Dental Center.

A few weekends ago, Hall, along with a few assistants and a hygienist, offered free dental services to seven Grove residents. They did over $10,000 worth of tooth extractions, root canals and other dental work, including three sets of dentures and a round of antibiotics for some residents who had infections.

“Our goal was to have their smiles ready for the big day [Saturday],” according to Hall, who says she would have done more had she heard about the plan earlier.

“The Lord provides things right when you need it,” Hall says. “I was excited to be present at this opportunity. [The Grove residents] gave us such a gift that day, to share a part of their lives with us. This is exactly what we’re here for, I felt.”

Dr. William Parks and Dr. Meredith Parks of Parks Orthodontics have offered two complete orthodontic packages for kids in the Grove community, and dentist Dr. Helen Fiscella will donate 500 toothbrushes and toothpaste to the Grove Christian Outreach Center’s hygiene closet for people in the community who are in need.

“The moms whose kids are getting braces were speechless and beyond thankful,” says GCOC Executive Director Deena Walls about all the different dental services offered to residents. “And you have no idea what an extreme relief it is to someone who has no teeth to be able to eat a meal they may not have had in years.

“One woman who got her front teeth corrected and cleaned told me she was smiling so much more and had the confidence to do so.”

Other recent donors include Bed Crafters by Michelle, which will donate used (and sanitized) or returned mattresses to residents of Grove who need them, and Godspeed Animal Care and St. Francis Pet Resort, which will be offering pet wellness checks, flea and tick treatments and animal education.

The Heritage Humane Society is offering 10 certificates for spaying or neutering pets; Pyramid Roofing is paying for volunteer tee shirts for the Celebration Day and will be doing some cooking for the festivities; and Hudgins Holiday Chevrolet Cadillac will be covering parking and shuttle services.

Buggy Bathe is donating 20 free oil changes, and Mike Skahill of Smithfield Foods offered 150 pounds of pork for Saturday’s event.

“I am completely astounded by the unending blessings that are pouring out daily into the Grove community,” says Walls. “This tiny little seed was planted; now we are surrounded by a flourishing garden… I am surprised daily about how big this vision is growing.

“I think when people realize someone cares and is willing to walk out that caring in a tangible way, it speaks deeply into a heart. I believe our Grove families will see that through The Summer of Love, and then down the road pass that love into another’s heart!”

The Celebration Day will take place Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Grove Christian Outreach Center, and Sigmon and Walls both hope that residents from the greater Williamsburg community will come out and get to know their Grove neighbors.

“I know we will have a great turnout from the Grove community and I pray that those in Williamsburg will come out and spend the evening getting to know their neighbors,” Walls says. “We have so much to learn from one another and the bridging of these communities is the first step to a beautiful relationship!”

Some other businesses donating their talents to the cause:

Jeff Fisher of J.H. Fisher Construction has been working on repairing and renovating several homes in Grove.

Baskin Robbins will donate ice cream for the Celebration Day.

Cathy and Mary Ellen Power of the Cheese Shop and the Fat Canary are donating condiments, napkins, plates, 720 bags of chips and 500 apples.

Silk Salon will donate free hair and makeup services so families can look their best for their portraits.

Blink in New Town offered to do a school supplies drive for Grove children.

“The common theme of The Summer of Love is that this is just the beginning,” says Walls. Some of the sponsors have already committed to long-term relationships with GCOC and we are so thankful for our new friends!”