When Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann came across a large group of people doing public service while wearing bright red shirts that had “I Love My City” written across them, he wanted to find out more.
“I thought to myself, ‘How can I, as mayor, not know who these people are wearing shirts that say I Love My City,’ ” he said. So, the mayor introduced himself and found out what exactly was going on. Then he invited them to Monday’s Hermiston City Council meeting for a little recognition.
The folks with the shirts are from the Hermiston Assembly of God church and the shirts serve as both an expression of pride in their city and a desire to help where help is needed. Pastor Terry Haight spoke about the movement Monday at the council meeting.
“We’ve lived here 21 years and have been thinking about how we can give back to the city,” he said. Since July, church members have been wearing their red shirts and going around asking where help is needed and where prayer can do some good.
“We went out and committed acts of service, going house to house,” Haight said. The “I Love My City” movement also serves to address the unrest locally and nationally, particularly during the murder-suicide that occurred in Hermiston during the summer.
“We were seeing what’s going on nationally and here at home and wanted to reach out,” he said. He said the shirts get people’s attention.
“Someone asked us where we’re from,” Haight said. “I said here in Hermiston and they were surprised. The thing is, I never hear people say ‘I love my city.’ ”
Haight said his group will be out in front of Wal-Mart around Christmas time to provide free wrapping and is looking for feedback on other needs within the community. He also hopes to see more people join the effort.
“Hopefully, you’ll see a lot more “I Love My City’ shirts in the future,” he said.
Drotzmann personally thanked Haight for the outreach.
“I love the message and you’re going out and doing this without any expectation of recognition,” he said. “I thank you for that.”
