Make a Difference Day Recap

Make a Difference Day Recap

This past Saturday was Make A Difference Day.  Despite the wet weather, volunteers were busy all over town.  This included three Neighborhood projects.  

Lansing Neighborhood

Lansing neighbor, Patty Tipton and City Parks Staff, Leonard Raggatt led 62 volunteers in planting 25 trees, spreading three units of fall material under the play structures, raking leaves, pulling weeds and picking up litter at Eastgate Basin Park from 9 am to noon.  Volunteers also enjoyed coffee and donuts.  This is the fourth year that Lansing has planted trees and done other maintenance at this park for Make A Difference Day.

North East Neighbors (NEN)

 Seven volunteers planted three trees at McRae Park in two hours.  The volunteers were Nancy McDaniel, Bill Holmstrom and Joan and Evan Lloyd (NEN Board); Lara and Tanner Million (very helpful neighbors); and Rick Watkins (teaches at Willamette).  Roger Cedillo, City employee of 45 years, oversaw the planting of three oak trees. 

Northgate Neighborhood

At Northgate Park Annalivia Palazzo-Angulo, neighbor and coordinator for this event; Carol Horning, neighbor and Master Gardener; Sam, Willamette University environmental studies student; Beth, a South Salem mom with her four-year-old son on his first volunteer project; Cliff and his three small children, new neighbors; a displaced family from California; and a Beaverton man who was passing through the park visiting a relative, raked mountains of leaves in the pouring rain and hauled them to the Northgate Forgiveness and Peace Garden for composting. Hotdogs and chili rounded out the day.  The volunteers were also appreciative of the wonderful support from City of Salem staff.

For more opportunities to make a difference in your neighborhood check out the City’s Neighborhood Beautification Opportunities Booklet for ideas or visit HandsOn Willamette to find volunteer opportunities or recruit volunteers for your project.