This week during Shinefest, the faith community is getting together to flex their muscles. Sixteen area churches will serve the community with work projects, giveaways and family events.

Shinefest is an opportunity for the area churches to network together, serve the community, build friendships and share their talents.

A work project Monday at the 18-hole disc golf course at Bancroft Bay Park will kick off Shinefest’s Week of Service. Shinefest is partnering up with the Flying Lea Disc Golf Club in setting up tee boxes at the holes of the course. They will dig and create concrete tee boxes and lay out woodchips. The project will begin at 5 p.m. and work will continue until dark.

Tuesday, Shinefest will be in Hollandale refurbishing the sand volleyball court and playground. They will host a picnic for the community at the City Park at 5 p.m. and Shy Ministries of Clarks Grove will provide entertainment.

Wednesday is giveaway day, where nine different churches will be found at nine different locations throughout the city giving away different things: frisbees, pedometers, bottled waters and food.

On Thursday, different churches who have adopted elementary schools will be laying fresh woodchips at each of the playgrounds from 5 to 7 p.m. At 7 p.m. they will host a picnic at Hammer Field. “Facing The Giants” will be shown in the stadium on a big screen. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the outdoor theater.

Friday is reserved for finishing up any unfinished projects from earlier in the week and is also set as the rain day if anything gets rained out earlier in the week. The Week of Service will come to an end Saturday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. From 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a crew available to do potentially 60 oil changes for families in the community. People getting oil changed in their cars will be encouraged to take a look at a family store, where there will be children’s toys and other items to take. There will be a clothing drive supported by the Salvation Army, so feel free to bring any clothing in good condition. A blood drive will also be part of Shinefest on Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome and they encourage any first-time blood donors to stop by.

To make an appointment to get your oil changed on Saturday or for more information on any of the Shinefest events feel free to contact Mark Whillock at (507) 330-8392 or e-mail him at mark@shinefest.org. Information can also be found at www.shinefest.org.