ShareFest project provides facelift for Pedersen Park in Antioch

About 100 volunteers from NorthBridge Church in Antioch showed up in work clothes Saturday for the annual ShareFest project.

This spring, Pedersen Park was the target. Using old-fashioned elbow grease and supplied materials, volunteers widened and mulched the walking path; removed trees and brush; painted picnic tables and parking lot posts; power-washed the pavilion; and, replaced worn components of the playground.

ShareFest began in 2003 to address various community needs. Volunteers have built and distributed bunk beds, done home repairs for seniors, collected blood and food, painted fire hydrants and undertaken many other projects in the area.

"We always ask our community how can we best serve," said Senior Pastor Mark Albrecht. Last year, volunteers focused on Centennial Park in Antioch and the results were so well received that another park project was selected.

"We're really blessed our community leaders trust us and give us projects that are significant and noteworthy, not just symbolic," Albrecht said. "It brings us a tremendous amount of joy to roll up our sleeves."