By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights participated in its first Big Day of Service on Saturday, May 17, contributing dozens of volunteers to 10 projects at various schools, nonprofits, and parks throughout the city.
To kick off the day, hundreds of volunteers from Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, and Orangevale filled the Bella Vista High School stadium seats for a high energy rally, joined by the Bella Vista cheer team, band and several mascots, and dignitaries from across the region, including Citrus Heights Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Vice Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, California State Assemblymember Josh Hoover, US Congressman Kevin Kiley, and Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez.
Karpinski-Costa called the event “incredible” and echoed many others as she expressed her gratitude to the multiple business and regional sponsors, to the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, and to the hundreds of volunteers ready to serve on a Saturday morning.
Several Citrus Heights organizations and schools hosted beautification projects across the city, including Grand Oaks Elementary, Carriage Drive Elementary, Lichen K-8, Arlington Heights Elementary, Mariposa Elementary and Sunrise Christian Food Ministry. Other beautification projects also took place at Madera Park and Arcade Creek Park Preserve. Sunrise MarketPlace and the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce also hosted encouragement projects.
“Volunteering is one of the most meaningful ways we give back to our community; it’s about building connections with each other in places that shape our everyday lives,” Karpinski-Costa said during a brief speech at the rally.
Ten volunteers gathered together at Grand Oaks Elementary in Citrus Heights after the rally to help give the hallways and playgrounds some updating through painting poles, large planters, playground curbs, and the ball walls in school colors. Principal Suzanne Landuyt said in an interview she wanted to participate in the Big Day of Service to continue to further the school’s goal of building community.
“This year it’s been about growing and celebrating what we have here,” she said, adding that the school has been collaborating with the San Juan Unified School District and San Juan Education Foundation, the city of Citrus Heights, and the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce on ways in which to help support each other.
Several other schools requested help with gardening projects, but Landuyt said her school’s garden had recently been updated by several youth from The Heights church during the church’s annual ‘Love This City’ spring break community service event. For Big Day of Service, Landuyt chose to focus on sprucing up the hallways and playgrounds instead.
“The whole idea is to make it a nice environment for our students,” Landuyt said, adding that she hopes the school will continue to participate in future years, and that the school continues to grow in its goal of building community through various events.
Big Day of Service is an annual event presented by the Rotary Clubs of Fair Oaks and Orangevale. This is the eighth year of the event, and the first year in which Citrus Heights has participated.
