Volunteers sought for Westfield's Earth Day spruce up

Date: 4/17/2012

April 18, 2012

By Debbie Gardner

debbieg@thereminder.com

WESTFIELD — The city is looking for residents who are willing to roll up their sleeves and lend a helping hand in a celebration honoring Earth Day, April 22.

At 8 a.m. that morning, volunteers are asked to gather in the parking lot on Arnold Street to receive their assignments. They will then fan out to spruce up selected areas of the city — previously identified by Denise Carey, parking clerk — as part of Westfield's second official Citywide Clean-Up. Community Development Block Grant Coordinator, Diana McLean, who is spearheading this year's clean-up efforts, told Reminder Publications that volunteer sign-up has been "a little slow" so far, but she hopes increased publicity through local media and on the city's Business Improvement District (BID) website will pique interest in the project.

McLean said former BID Director Lisa McMahon coordinated a similar clean-up project in the downtown area two years ago, and she thought a plug on the organization's website might encourage past participants to lend a hand again.

Both individuals and groups are welcome to participate, McLean said, adding that a group of volunteers from Sieman's, who are unable to participate on the 22nd, will provide some clean-up help on April 20 instead. She said another group from Home Depot, which assisted the BID with a tree-planting project last year, recently contacted the BID office looking for an opportunity to help out with projects again this year.

She's hoping they can work a clean-up day — either on April 20 or 22 — into their schedule, too.

McLean said for this year all participants — groups or individuals — are being asked to bring their own tools and supplies, such as gloves, rakes, brooms, trash bags and wheelbarrows.

She is also looking for individuals or companies willing to donate some of the needed materials for the Citywide Clean-Up, including "work gloves, trash bags, or even light refreshments."

McLean said two years ago a church group provided lunch for the clean-up volunteers, something that was "much appreciated."

Individuals interested in donating items to the Citywide Clean-Up, or in volunteering to help out on April 22, are asked to contact McLean at 572-6244 or d.mclean@cityofwestfield.org.