News | Article from Redlands Daily Facts

Groups pitch in to clean up two schools on Saturday

San Bernardino (June 6, 2007) - The public is invited to help spruce up Victoria Elementary School and Yucaipa High School's freshman campus during an extreme makeover on Saturday, June 9.

From 8:30 1:30 p.m., teams of volunteers from The Gas Co., Starbucks and the Highland Noon and Loma Linda Valley Kiwanis clubs will partner with community members to combine their resources to revitalize three Inland Empire schools, including Victoria, Yucaipa High School's ninth-grade campus, and St. Mary's Catholic School Community Auditorium and Shelter in Apple Valley.

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 United Way's Hands On agency has performed, including the recruitment of hundreds of volunteers, are complete makeovers of Mentone and Franklin Elementary Schools," said Redlands mayor Jon Harrison. "Hands On Inland Empire is now coordinating another school makeover for Victoria Elementary School."

Victoria Elementary School in San Bernardino, which is part of the Redlands Unified School District, will have a makeover focusing 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 Superintendent Bob Hodges. "With school district resources so limited, 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."

"IEUWs 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."

For information, call Victoria Elementary School, (909) 478-5670, or Yucaipa High School, (909) 797-5181; or go to www.handsoninlandempire.org.

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