News | Media Alert
Revitalize local schools on June 9 - Join hundreds
of volunteers for Hands On Inland Empire Day!
Inland Empire (May 21, 2007) – From 8:30 – 1:30 p.m. on
Saturday, June 9, several teams of volunteers from The Gas
Company, Starbucks, Union Bank of California and KB Home will
partner with local community members and combine their energy,
skills and resources to revitalize three local schools. Inland
Empire United Way’s Hands On initiative coordinated Hands On
Inland Empire Day so that in a single day, nearly 500 volunteers
will paint vibrant murals, landscape school grounds and make
other major improvements at local schools.
“Among the many outstanding projects they [Inland Empire United
Way’s Hands On] have performed, including the recruitment of
hundreds of volunteers, are complete makeovers of Mentone and
Franklin Elementary Schools,” said Jon Harrison, Redlands Mayor.
“Hands On Inland Empire is now coordinating another school
makeover for Victoria Elementary School.”
Part of Redlands Unified School District, Victoria Elementary
School in San Bernardino will have a makeover that focuses on
creating new exercise spaces to promote health and fitness by
building a running track and renovating a garden to expand
outdoor activities. More than 300 volunteers will revitalize the
school by painting buildings, creating colorful murals and
painting playground games and maps.
“The students, staff and parents are looking forward to a
cleaner, safer and more beautiful school campus,” said Robert J.
Hodges, Superintendent of Schools, Redlands Unified School
District. “With school District resources so limited, [Inland
Empire United Way’s] Hands On Inland Empire projects are
providing improvements to campuses that would never be possible
with our current maintenance budget. The two prior projects at
Mentone and Franklin Elementary Schools literally transformed
two worn and tired school campuses into new and bright positive
learning environments.”
Hands On Inland Empire Day will also unite more than 100
volunteers to revitalize Yucaipa High School’s 9th Grade Campus
in Yucaipa. The school currently serves approximately 850
students. Now in its fourth year of operation, the 9th Grade
Campus is one of the oldest facilities and grounds in the
district. Volunteers at 9th Grade Campus will paint trim and
equipment, landscape and create murals.
“Not only does this project at YHS 9 become a wonderful hands-on
lesson about the importance of working together in partnership,
it will both beautify and enhance the campus for all students
and staff,” said Mitch Hovey, Superintendent of Schools,
Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District. “We are
appreciative of the time, efforts and resources so graciously.”
“We look forward to working collaboratively with [Inland Empire]
United Way to not only update and improve our overall grounds,
but to create a large school wide mural that depicts the history
of the school grounds,” said Stephen Kruk, Safety Specialist for
the Yucaipa Calimesa Joint Unified School District. “Thanks to
the efforts of the [Inland Empire] United Way, students at
Yucaipa High School Ninth Grade Campus will be able to take
pride in the fact that they attend school at such a beautiful
campus as well as a historically rich one!”
In Apple Valley, volunteers will revitalize St. Mary’s Catholic
School Community Auditorium and Shelter (coordinated by Desert
Communities United Way). The auditorium is an important
community resource in need of repair and renovation. This
auditorium is designated as the local Red Cross Emergency
Shelter, and is also the home of Cub Scout Pack 257, the Knights
of Columbus and the Optimists Club. Eighty volunteers will paint
the auditorium and kitchen and restore the luster of this
community and school meeting place.
To ensure its success, Hands On Inland Empire Day requires
dedication, not only from corporations and local businesses to
provide financial support, but also from parents, residents and
community groups to continue their participation for the
betterment of the school.
"IEUW's Hands On Inland Empire is working with the community to
create better learning environments for local children," said
Jan Stephens, Hands On Inland Empire Community Resource Manager
from Inland Empire United Way. "Hands On Inland Empire Day
provides an opportunity for community leaders and local
businesses to encourage local residents to become involved and
make their community a better place to live."
This project is possible thanks to sponsorships and partnerships
with The Gas Company, Starbucks, Union Bank of California, KB
Home, Kiwanis (Highland Noon and Loma Linda Valley), Century 21
Lois Lauer Realty, The Timberland Co., Two Guys Pasta & Pizza,
Valspar, Yucaipa Disposal and Barney Northcote, Inc. Find more
information at
www.HandsOnInlandEmpire.org.
Inland Empire United Way / Hands On Inland Empire Initiative
Inland Empire United Way (IEUW)’s Hands On Inland Empire
initiative empowers people to make volunteering a part of their
lives and strengthens volunteer impact in the community through
programs, partnerships and services. IEUW helps disadvantaged
kids succeed, provides easy access to services, encourages safe
environments for infants and toddlers, and develops volunteer
opportunities to create positive change. Learn more at
www.ieuw.org.
Contact:
Jan Stephens, Inland
Empire United Way (Hands On Inland Empire)
(909) 980-2857 ext. 233
Inland Empire United Way / Hands On Inland Empire Initiative
Inland Empire United Way (IEUW)’s Hands On Inland Empire
initiative empowers people to make volunteering a part of their
lives and strengthens volunteer impact in the community through
programs, partnerships and services. IEUW helps disadvantaged
kids succeed, provides easy access to services, encourages safe
environments for infants and toddlers, and develops volunteer
opportunities to create positive change. Learn more at
www.ieuw.org.
www.ieuw.org
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