day of service Success Stories.

Westerville Ohio

The City of Westerville, Ohio enjoyed tremendous support for their "Day of Service" event, "Plant Westerville ... Watch Us Bloom." During the late winter and early spring months, the Parks and Recreation staff planned the bed arrangements and ordered the flowers and supplies. In the early spring, the flower beds were prepared, fertilized, and mulched. Volunteers were recruited through news releases, fliers, and the Spring Departmental Brochure. Walk-ins were also welcome to arrive at any time during the day to work. On the morning of the event, volunteers met at City Hall, given a special welcome, a free continental breakfast, and instructions for the day. Each participant was given a gift bag which included an official shirt, gloves, and some goodies from the Parks and Recreation Department. Over 200 hundred individual of all ages were involved in the planting of over 21,000 flowers around the City. But the dedication didn't stop there, the City of Westerville asked volunteers to Adopt a Flower Bed and take care of that bed throughout the year.

Monmouth New Jersey

The Monmouth County Park System in Lincroft, New Jersey celebrated "Day of Service" on National Trails Day June 3rd with events at three parks: building trails at Hartshorne Woods Park in Middletown and Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold and cleaning up the 9.5 mile Henry Hudson Trail in the county's Bayshore, Once the trails were completed, a dedication ceremony was held and volunteers were treated to a free lunch. A Park System naturalist then led volunteers on a nature walk. The following day, the New Jersey Road Runners Club sponsored a 7.5-mile fun-run at Hartshorne Woods Park and the Newly built trail was included in the race-course. In all, 136 volunteers assisted in the project, including members of the Central Jersey Bike Club, the New Jersey Road Runners Club, students from St. Benedict School and High Tech High School, Boy Scout Troops, equestrians, walkers, and joggers.

Lindstrom Minnesota

Lindstrom, Minnesota rose to the challenge of building a modern playground facility by collecting money through fundraisers and gifts, rounding up community volunteers, and offering a wide variety of shifts for those that could help for limited hours. Tasks were arranged so that people could come and do what they were capable of. If they had to sit down to work, they could sit on a bench and assemble smaller components. If they weren't skilled with tools, they could cook or serve food. Employees from an area health clinic pulled a red wagon with coffee and donuts around to the workers, because many volunteers were so determined to finish their job, they wouldn't take a break. Not only did the community come together to build their own park, but they also made a huge effort to incorporate all citizens.

St. Louis Missouri

Saint Louis County Parks of Missouri, recognizing the importance of community volunteerism and the size of their own park system, decided to expand the "Day of Service" idea to "Days of Service", featuring a series of varied projects appealing to a variety of individuals and groups. The result was a campaign featuring ten events from March 8th to April 16th. Beginning with an old-fashioned Barn Raising at Faust Park and concluding with a landscape mulching project at St. Vincent's Community Center, Saint Louis County Parks provided an opportunity for adults, children, families, and singles to unite in an effort to promote park improvements without limiting the occasion to one day. When all was said and done, the campaign incorporated 260 volunteers logging in over 700 hours of thoughtful and devoted service.