The Allen Ministerial Alliance (AMA) joined with the City of Allen and Keep Allen Beautiful for the local Great American Cleanup (GAC). The group plans to beautify and upgrade the community by painting 3,000 fire hydrants the morning of the event on April 27.
The AMA originally planned to use youth from their member congregations to volunteer for the project. However, the website, www.JustServe.org made it possible to expand the call for volunteers to service groups, school clubs, athletic teams and anyone who wanted to participate in the project.
Donna Kliewer, City of Allen waste services manager, said, “The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest annual community improvement program. Keep Allen Beautiful is thrilled to be a part of this project and that Paint the Town organizers chose this day for young volunteers to improve the Allen community. This project will benefit the efforts of the city’s water division that work to maintain all aspects of the city’s water system including the fire hydrants. ”
Teens from 14 to 18 are encouraged to go to the website by April 20, register as a volunteer and follow the instructions to pick the preferred project neighborhood. Adults are welcome to assist and register as well. There will be teams of three to four teens with one adult supervising three teams of painters.
Volunteers will meet at the Allen High School track stadium on April 27 at 8 a.m. for check-in and assignments. A brief welcome will feature Mayor Pro Tem Gary Caplinger along with a few city firefighters. Work will begin at 9 a.m. and end around noon.
The first 600 who register will receive an orange shirt with the event logo.
Volunteers unable to register by April 20 are welcome to participate with the project by reporting to the stadium at 8 a.m.
Event organizer Melissa McKneely said, ““We’re very excited about this project and the way it lets the youth give back to the community. We’re grateful for all the volunteer support. This project is unique because it combines our church communities, local youth, businesses and the City of Allen in a significant cleanup initiative.”
For more information, contact Melissa McKneely at melissalenore@hotmail.com or call 214-770-2165.
Story courtesy of Melissa McKneely, Event Organizer