HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-2006 West Side Kicks Off Adopt-A-Block Cleanup SOUTI?
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NEWS RELEASE
Friday,May 19, 2006
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Communications & Special Projects—574-235-5855
Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement, 5741235-9486
West Side Kicks Off Adopt-A-Block Cleanup
The City of South Bend Department of Code Enforcement is pleased to announce
the 2°a Annual Adopt-A-Block Kickoff in the West Side neighborhood, on Saturday,May
20, at 10:00 a.m. The event will begin at the West Side Neighborhood Partnership Center
at 617 S. Pulaski, with representatives from the Mayor's Office and Common Council.
Neighbors will team up with representatives of eight neighborhood champions, including
the West Side Neighborhood Organization,West Side NPC, Oliver Gateway Neighborhood
Association, La Casa de Amistad, St. Mary's and St. Adalbert's parishes, to clean their
neighborhood block by block, and add new landscaping to the West Side NPC. In addition,
through the Weed& Seed program,the South Bend Police Department will provide
additional patrols during the kickoff,to support work zone safety.
Residents plan to clean, enhance, and improve a total of fifteen individual blocks
on Saturday, before celebrating with a barbeque lunch for volunteers at noon. Lunch will
be presented by residents of the South Bend Center for the Homeless. "We are excited
about the impact this program will have in our neighborhood," stated Juanetta Hill,
Coordinator of the West Side NPC. "We believe that a clean neighborhood is a key
component to improving our quality of life and raising the pride that our residents feel in
their community."
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"When neighbors work together to help keep their neighborhoods clean, the entire
community benefits as well. By building partnerships, block by block,we can build
hometown pride and help reach our goal of a Clean City," commented Mayor Steve
Luecke.
Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement, noted that the West Side is just
one of several neighborhoods that have begun Adopt-A-Block, since witnessing the
success of the program in the Near Northwest Neighborhood. "We believe that this
program is a great opportunity to help residents restore their sense of pride while
revitalizing their neighborhoods," she stated.
How It Works—
The City provides the materials, equipment, and staff support, while residents
commit to cleaning designated blocks in their neighborhood 6 times in a 9 month period.
The City of South Bend's Bureau of Solid Waste and Code Enforcement also provides
trash bags, rakes, safety equipment, educational literature, and trash removal for Adopt-a-
Block participants.
Residents who are interested in organizing an Adopt-A-Block program in their
neighborhoods are asked to call the Department of Code Enforcement at 235-9486. Help
us make South Bend a Clean City for everyone!
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