The city of Palmdale’s “2015 Season of Service” program has added a new event to this year’s roster. Southern California Edison (SCE), in collaboration with Antelope Valley Youth Build, donated $5,000 toward suppprting the new event.
The “MLK Day of Service with Youth Build” will take place tomorrow beginning with a clean-up event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Palmdale Dream Center, 38518 5th Street East in Palmdale (5th St. & Ave. Q-5).
Members of Youth Build, city staff and volunteers will work on cleaning up and refurbishing the site and the surrounding neighborhood. Also, volunteers will work on community assessment and will distribute flyers detailing available local resources, as well as host a community informational session on a job training program. Interested volunteers may email Sonia Hernandez at A.V. Youth Build at shernandez@avyouthbuild.com or call (661) 266-8900.
“We’re so grateful to SCE for their significant donation that honors the life work and mission of a true American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Mike Miller, Palmdale neighborhood services director. “Our collaboration with Youth Build continues to grow and thrive, engaging the youth in our community and preparing them for a positive future.”
Palmdale’s Season of Service is part of the city’s participation in the national Day of Service in recognition of King Day on Jan. 20. “The program is designed to provide residents with an opportunity to make a difference in their community by way of an organized event, or for them to develop their own projects in the spirit of Dr. King’s call to service,” said Trish Jones, Palmdale community programs supervisor.
Other projects scheduled for the 2015 Season Service will include:
—Desert Dazzle, Jan. 24, a clean-up of illegal dumping at Avenue R and 70th Street East;
— Mazanita Magic, Feb. 28, a clean-up and rehabilitation of Manzanita Heights Park at 5th Street West and Mesa Verde Street;
— Courson-Clean and Green, March 28, a clean-up day at Courson Park/SAVES/Recreation and Culture;
— Global Youth Service Day, April 25, at Marie Kerr Park, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd. On this day, youth and their families are invited to participate in a park beautification effort.
“Last year, Palmdale residents donated more than 40,000 hours of service towards making Palmdale an even better place to live,” Jones said. “All it takes is a willingness to give, an interest in your community, and your time. There is no minimum number of hours required; every hour donated is valuable. And, there’s practically no limit to how you can get involved.”
Registration for all of the events will begin at 8 a.m. each day. Participants must be 12 years or older; volunteers under 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Participants must complete a release of liability form (available at www.cityofpalmdale.org or at event registration). Participants must wear close-toed shoes and be prepared/able to traverse uneven terrain. Bring along work gloves and a sun hat. Water will be free.
For more details, call (661) 267-5181.
