Crossfire Youth Ministry, of Ephrata, which also has a youth center on Market and 12th Street in Ashland, has brought almost three dozen teens to the borough for a cleanup.
Jim Horning, Crossfire's director, brought the teens from the Ephrata and Carlisle areas to help paint and spruce up Oakland Park on Oakland Avenue and to cleanup Centre Street.
All day Wednesday and Thursday, teams worked to repair the ship in Oakland Park and repaint swings, jungle gyms, and fences to help brighten up the park.
Crews also brought landscaping tools to clear brush that had overgrown on the edges of the park.
A separate group began at the top of Centre Street in Ashland and worked on clearing the weeds off of sidewalks. Borough members told us the group also helped a woman that needed her lawn mowed and cleaned up.
"We used to go to Harrisburg every year for the cleanup, until someone from Ashland approached me about pulling the weeds on Centre Street. I talked to the borough leaders and they were on board with it." said Horning.
After work is complete at Oakland Park and Centre Street, the group hopes to have time to cleanup and paint the equipment at Willow Park on Friday.
Borough Council Member Patti Wesner said "I am so over whelmed with what these kids have done today. Everything is freshly painted. It was an amazing redo. These kids never stopped they just kept going".
"I am so grateful to have such a wonderful group of teens and adults that are willing to devote their time to making such a difference in our town without asking anything in return. I was part of crossfire as a teen and I am blessed to still be associated with such a wonderful group. Those kids worked tirelessly today without complaint and just didn't stop. We are so proud of all they got accomplished. Really made a difference in our towns appearance." said Kaity Korn, of Borough Council.
Once the work is complete, on Friday, July 10th, 2020 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, the group will be holding a Community Picnic for everyone at Oakland Park, to see the work done and enjoy some food.
Horning said those that don't feel comfortable around groups of people due to COVID-19, could stop by and they will bring food to your car.
Crossfire Youth Ministry is also working on a project in the 1100 Block of Centre Street in the old A&P supermarket.
The ministry bought the building and is renovating to turn it into a new youth center for the citizens of the community.
Horning said the new center will offer an outdoor playground, inside for children to enjoy all year round, with a half court basketball court, as well as a place for anyone that may need someone to talk to and sit and have a cup of coffee.
Horning said he hopes to see all the community come out Friday afternoon for the community picnic.
Crossfire Youth Ministry is also working on a project in the 1100 Block of Centre Street in the old A&P supermarket.
The ministry bought the building and is renovating to turn it into a new youth center for the citizens of the community.
Horning said the new center will offer an outdoor playground, inside for children to enjoy all year round, with a half court basketball court, as well as a place for anyone that may need someone to talk to and sit and have a cup of coffee.
Horning said he hopes to see all the community come out Friday afternoon for the community picnic.
