Thanks to the efforts of a fifth-grader, a local church will grow a little closer in fellowship this afternoon.

First United Methodist Church youth coordinator Ali Harber said Shyanna Deters organized a park cleanup among her congregation for Friday afternoon, and Harber commended Deters for her efforts.

“I’m very proud of her,” Harber said. “It’s really great to see someone who is that young taking initiative to do something big, taking the steps to get it done.”

Harber said Shyanna approached the pastor about the cleanup, which will be 5:30 p.m. at Mill Pond.

The idea is not only to help the environment, but to bring the older and younger generations of the church a little bit closer.

“She wanted it to be church-wide to acquaint older people with younger people at the church,” Harber said.