Pastor Matt Miofsky Explains 'Recycle the Five' Drive for Cardinal Jerseys
Matt Miofsky is the pastor of The Gathering United Methodist Church in St. Louis Missouri and is responsible for creating the “Recycle the Five” drive.
After long-time St. Louis icon, Albert Pujols, signed his 10-year $254 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, some fans began tearing off their St. Louis Cardinal jerseys and setting them ablaze.
While it may seem as though it was just a few passionate fans expressing their discontent, for Miofsky, it was an opportunity to turn a negative situation into a positive one for many people who are facing hard times this holiday season.
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In an interview with The Christian Post, Miofsky said: “People were pretty upset and disappointed they take their baseball pretty seriously here.”
Miofsky went on to explain that “Some folks started burning Pujols jerseys” in a show of anger and disappointment.
The idea for the drive, as Miofsky explains, came about while members were at church: “We were just sitting around the office and someone had the idea to tell them instead of burning the jerseys bring them to the church and we can donate them.”
The Church used Facebook and Twitter to spread the word and get people involved in the clothing drive.
“Don’t burn those Pujols jerseys!” The church’s Facebook status stated. “Bring them to The Gathering United Methodist Church - during business hours and on Sunday.”
On Friday, a tweet sent from The Gathering stated: “Don’t burn that Pujols T-shirt or jersey! Bring it to 2105 McCausland. We’ll donate it to a charity in Anaheim. Seriously.”
The Church has been in contact with the Angels organization in order to coordinate with various charities and non-profit organizations that would be willing and able to accept the donated goods. Miofsky told The Christian Post they would be waiting a few more weeks and then they probably would be able to start shipping the jerseys.
But the Recycle the Five drive is not the only goodwill members of the church spread. For the last three years The Gathering has donated 100 percent of the Christmas Eve offering to help build wells for safe water in Mozambique, Africa.
They partner with other Methodist churches in Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Last year Miofsky said the church was able to raise over $74,000. Miofsky said the ultimate goal was to build a well in every village that has a Methodist church in it.
