Early on the morning of Saturday, April 25, more than 420 volunteers fanned out across the city as part of Lakewood’s annual Volunteer Day effort. The volunteers came from 28 community groups and businesses and worked on more than 27 sites helping neighbors and neighborhoods.Most of the projects aided elderly and disabled residents with work around their yard and home. The volunteer workers filled nine semi-truck sized dumpsters and nine smaller ones as they cleared the overgrown front and backyards.
"It's a good feeling lending a hand fixing up a house or clearing a yard for someone who can't do it. It's satisfying to give back," explained Tim Hassien a participant from the Lakewood City Employees Association.
Volunteer Day gives special consideration to residents who cannot afford to complete the work themselves or who are not physically able to maintain their landscaping.
The work was done by individuals, neighbors, and friends of friends. Volunteer groups included Girl and Boy Scout troops, service clubs, employees from local businesses, students from area high schools and middle schools, church groups and many others. Many volunteers have returned year after year to give their time to help others.
Volunteer support also came from Obama Advocates for Service. The group completed yard work at the home of an elderly resident. "Our whole goal is to help within our community", said Lakewood volunteer Teresa Lawrence. Her group was inspired by President Obama and his Organizing for America program.
Lakewood businesses pitched in. Work crews gathering at the Youth Center were served a breakfast spread by staff from Corner Bakery Cafe. After a full morning of cleanup projects, volunteers were treated to a barbecue luncheon. The food – much of it donated – was served by volunteers from the Lakewood Teen Board of middle school and high school students.
Lakewood Home Depot also supported Volunteer Day. This year, store manager Elsa Cedeno paved the way for a grant from the Home Depot Western Division. Materials and supplies were donated to build a shade structure in the play area of the Mothers at Work daycare center at the Burns Community Center. Home Depot employees and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked under the direction of general contractor Steven Lucero to construct the shelter.
Mothers at Work executive director Sue Rowe said, “I’m thrilled that the community has pulled together in this way to help out our center. The children will love having this addition to their playground.”
Other volunteers also took on the task of rebuilding the disaster preparedness shed at a Lakewood school, planting trees, and installing new greenery at Palms Park.
These donors and contributors provided valuable support that made the 2009 Lakewood Volunteer Day possible:
Alin Party Supply
Albertsons
BJ’s Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen
Chipotle
Coast Storage Co.
Corner Bakery Cafe
Costco
Wilma Cox
East Side Mario’s
EDCO Waste Services, Inc.
Foggia Italian Deli
Home Depot
Abraham Joven
Lakewood Teen Board
Lakewood Lion's Club
Little Caesar’s
Mike Lombardi
Macerich Company
Outback Steakhouse
Papa John’s
Pavilions
Ralph’s
Rotary Club of Lakewood
Round Table Pizza
Sam’s Club
Schwendener Corporation
Soroptimist International of Lakewood/Long Beach
Smart & Final
SY Nursery
The Loft
Vista Paint
West Coast Arborists
