On Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 70 volunteers of ASEZ WAO cleaned Simpson Park in partnership with the City of Hemet after massive rainstorms. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to remove litter, fallen debris, and trim shrubs back from roads. Volunteers from Hemet, Temecula, Oceanside, and Chula Vista united to clean together to do their part in helping to prevent litter from reaching our local waterbeds and wildlife.
Cleaning Simpson Park with the love of a Mother is the reason these volunteers gather on a Sunday. Setting aside their time demonstrates the true meaning of sacrifice as described in the Bible. Jesus said ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 19:19) so members of the Church of God follow this example in their daily lives. Simpson Park in the past has faced damage from fires and most recently excess debris from rainstorms. So as not to neglect and to reinstate Simpson Park to its full potential, volunteers united with other churches around Hemet.
Naomi Frontela from Temecula Church of God said:
“Participating in the ASEZ WAO clean up at Simpson Park in Hemet reminded me that we are all part of something bigger. When each of us picked up small trash, in even a few minutes, it made a large pile and a bigger impact because we were able to do it together!”
Families and the community of Hemet all utilize Simpson Park. Many come to this location for walks with family and friends every day. ASEZ WAO aims to clean up the community and therefore encourage others to take care of their community. The hard work from volunteers resulted in 6 truckloads of trash. The debris hauled out of the park made a more beautiful environment for park goers.
ASEZ WAO Global Activity
The ASEZ WAO has conducted similar events on a global scale. The members in Korea have held four ASEZ WAO Street Campaigns to bring awareness to environmental issues and hope to sustain a better planet. ASEZ WAO also carried out a global forum in Korea in June of 2023, and over 2,300 people came to take part in solving this global crisis.
Thanks to the grace of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, the Church of God also regularly holds cleanups such as these around the world, ranging from San Diego to Peru to Korea and many more. The members in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada held a cleanup at Bruce Trent Park at the beginning of December as well.
Through this, all members around the world can put into practice the teaching of God, “Be the salt and the light of the world” while also helping to maintain a cleaner environment and better area for the local residents.
