St. Francis Xavier parish brings 300 volunteers together for 11th annual Day of Service

Members and friends of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish took to the streets of Medina on Saturday, Oct. 18, for the parish’s 11th annual Day of Service.

More than 300 volunteers participated, assisting 27 elderly or disabled homeowners, 12 nursing homes and nine nonprofit organizations. Others contributed by making more than 30 handmade fleece blankets, delivering donations to five local charities, or praying inside the church for those being served.

At Medina Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre, six parishioners played bingo with residents. “You made our day brighter and our games more fun!” activity director Kim Poehls wrote in a social media post.

Homeowner Margaret Frank expressed appreciation for volunteers John Fenzel and Pieri and Joe Levandofsky, who washed her windows and cleaned up her fence line. “They did a fantastic job for me,” Frank said. “They are just wonderful, wonderful people. Thank you so much.”

Volunteers also helped at several community organizations. Three parishioners cleaned and organized storage at Cups Café, five reorganized part of the Hope & Healing shelter, eight served lunch at Next Step Up emergency housing, and two families sorted Legos for a new science room at the Lodi Family Center.

Four seniors from the Medina High School boys basketball team — one of whom attends St. Francis Xavier — helped clean gutters, trim bushes and pull weeds for a 90-year-old couple on Hampden Court.

Erika Stevenson brought her husband, children and friends from Columbus to assist at two homes on Cloverdale Avenue. “We raked leaves, cleaned windows, pulled out overgrown shrubs, and even moved a front porch swing into the garage for the winter,” she said. “The neighbors were elderly and struggled with forgetfulness, but recognized our hard work and were very grateful. We walked away knowing that our help was needed, and all our kids learned the value of giving their time to help someone else.”

Father Tony Sejba, pastor, said the annual event allows parishioners to share their God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure with others.

Liz Lamphear, whose husband owns Lamphear’s Lawn Service, said her family enjoyed doing yardwork for a widow. “We thought it would be fun to do something nice for someone in our community with the supplies and skills we already know well,” Lamphear said. “She was very sweet and thankful for our time.”

During Mass that afternoon, Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl thanked the “sea of yellow shirts” filling the pews. “Thank you for taking the time today — on what might be the last beautiful Saturday of October — to give of yourselves in service to others,” he said. “Why do we do that? Because it’s what Jesus calls us to do. It’s part of our great commissioning as baptized followers of Christ.”