2019 MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 21 – Scherer Park
Nearly 500 volunteers made it a “Day On, not a Day Off,” on Monday, January 21 as part of the MLK National Day of Service in Long Beach. There were 16 service projects coordinated by Leadership Long Beach and supported by the Office of Mayor Robert Garcia, Councilman Al Austin, Councilman Rex Richardson, the Port of Long Beach and a host of civic and community organizations.
Scherer Park, at the corner of Del Amo Blvd and Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls, held the kickoff rally and MLK celebratory remembrance. Long Beach City Councilman Al Austin (8th District), Long Beach Councilman Rex Richardson (9th District) and California State Senator Tom Umberg (34th District) were among the elected officials in attendance and spoke of the importance of the day to the attendees. Once again, the Long Beach Firefighters Union cooked the pancake pancake breakfast for the volunteers attending. Volunteers confirmed their volunteer site registration with direction information and were on their way by 9 AM.
Building a Healing Community
Project Host: The Maye Center
Volunteers worked with the Maye Center to build a garden that will serve as a means of therapy to the community. The work included pulling weeds, building potato planters, building a garden including ponds, arts and crafts such as painting on the fence, drawing, creating garden signs and planting flowers.
Revitalize Organic Urban Farm
Project Host: Gladys Avenue Urban Farm
Volunteers worked with Gladys Avenue Urban Farm to provide food access and production to low income community members. Under direction, volunteers were able to design a garden which will include weeding, planting 15 different vegetables, building farm stands, arts and crafts with painting and drawing art on walls, designing workspace and community farm stand, building irrigation and safe space for pre-school children to learn about growing, harvesting and planting organic veggies.
Veterans Park Beautification
Project Host: 6th District Council office
Volunteers were involved with playground and park cleanup.
Washington Neighborhood Beautification
Project Host: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Volunteers aided Habitat for Humanity and community members with beautifying the area of Washington Neighborhood where middle school students walk and play on a daily basis. Volunteers cleaned up around the park, school and alleys surrounding the school.
Community Clean Up at Bixby Knolls Park
Project Host: Readwrite Educational Solutions, Inc.
Volunteers did a deep clean of the playground, combing the sand and picking up trash around the park. Some light cleaning and maintenance of classroom; replaced vinyl adhesive on two classroom tables, deep cleaning classroom chairs and window cleaning (inside and outside).
This has been the eighth year that Leadership Long Beach has collaborated with other community and civic organizations and groups to make it a “Day On, not a Day Off” on the MLK National Day of Service in Long Beach.
We are proud to work with these great organizations and groups and are greatly pleased to continue to have an impact on making Long Beach a better place to live through our involvement in this annual activity. We are fortunate to have alumni, family and friends support us through this project and continue to make a difference in the neighborhoods of Long Beach.