LANCASTER – The City of Lancaster on Thursday announced more than 25 community projects as part of its Seventh Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
The projects will be held at various locations throughout the Antelope Valley, with the majority of the projects taking place on Saturday, January 18. Many of the projects are still accepting volunteers and sponsors.
“This is your opportunity to step up and make a difference in your community,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Your involvement has a positive effect, whether you donate supplies, give blood, volunteer to paint, feed the homeless, or bring a smile to the face of a hospice care patient. When several thousands of people donate just a few hours of their Saturday to improve our community, it has an enormous impact.”
This year, the City received a $1,000 grant from Youth Service America (YSA), in support of its Seventh Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. YSA Grants empower youth-led service and service-learning projects with funding, training and resource support.
The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative, calling for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. With more than 20 local projects slated for this year’s MLK Day of Service, the City of Lancaster is inviting individuals, non-profit and service organizations, and community groups to sign up to volunteer.
This will be the first year that Lancaster’s new volunteer program, AmeriCorps’ Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), will be contributing to the MLK Day of Service. Created in August 2013, VISTA volunteers dedicate a year of their lives to developing and managing a community-wide volunteer program to help all the service organizations that need or utilize volunteers in the Antelope Valley.
Hundreds of residents have already volunteered, but more are welcome. Businesses are also being invited to donate supplies to established service projects. To volunteer, make a donation or request additional information, contact the City’s Parks, Recreation and Arts Department at (661) 723-6077, or visit www.cityoflancasterca.org/mlkday.
MLK Day of Service Projects 2014
(The following projects still need volunteers.)
The Academy of Style Painting Project. Saturday, January 18 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.). Volunteers will build wooden benches, paint walls and create a mural. Skilled carpenters and cabinet makers are also needed. Volunteers will help improve a space to be used to teach kids, teens and families a number of recreational skills. (Academy of Style, 42156 10th Street West, #U, Lancaster)
AMR “Hands-Only” CPR Workshop. Saturday, January 18 (1 – 4 p.m.). This Hands-Only CPR clinic will consist of AMR employees demonstrating the American Heart Association’s Hands-Only CPR, and community members then performing the technique themselves. There will be several CPR mannequins available for use. Children are encouraged to learn since a child may need to rescue another family member, friend or sibling. (Lancaster City Park, Kleiner Building Game Room, 43011 N. 10th Street West, Lancaster)
Antelope Valley Hospital Blood Donation. Tuesday & Thursday, January 14 & 16 (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.); Wednesday, January 15 (7 a.m. – 4 p.m.); and Saturday, January 18 (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.). No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds; 16 year olds must weigh at least 120 pounds. All first time donors must present a CA driver’s license or state ID. Donors are advised to eat a meal and drink extra fluids prior to donating. Appointment hotline (661) 949-5622. (AV Outpatient Imaging Center, 44105 15th Street West, Ste. 305, Lancaster)
Antelope Valley Illegal Dumping Task Force Cleanup. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Volunteers will join the efforts of Antelope Valley’s Illegal Dumping Task Force and clean up the area between K-4 and K-8, and 20th to 25th East. (Meeting Location: East K-8 and 20th West)
Antelope Valley Red Cross Blood Drive. Tuesday, January 14; Friday, January 17 (1 – 7 p.m.). Residents can give blood to replenish blood banks. Bring a photo ID and register in advance by calling 1-800-733-2767 or going online to www.redcrossla.org/blood. Walk-ins are also welcome. Full donor eligibility information is available online. (Antelope Valley Red Cross, 2715 East Avenue P, Palmdale)
Assistance League Antelope Valley (ALAV) Clean-up. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – Noon). Volunteers will be washing tables, toys and windows, as well as raking playground sand and sprucing up landscaping. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gardening equipment. (808 Newgrove Avenue, Lancaster)
Innovation Education Parent Education Conference. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Parents will participate in no-cost breakout sessions designed to support their elementary school aged students throughout the year. (Paving the Way Foundation, 44814 Cedar Avenue, Lancaster)
Elm Avenue Community Garden. Saturday, January 18 (9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Volunteers will beautify the community garden with art and maintain existing planter beds. The community garden benefits homeless and low income individuals. (44738-1/2 Elm Avenue, Lancaster)
First City Credit Union Financial Literacy Workshop. Saturday, January 25 (10 a.m. – Noon). This workshop prepares today’s youth for tomorrow’s financial responsibilities. Young adults will gain valuable knowledge on personal finance: budgeting, savings and investing, checking and savings accounts, managing debt and credit, avoiding fraud, etc. (American Heroes Park, 701 W. Kettering Street, Lancaster)
Grace Resource Center Facility Improvements. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – Noon) Volunteers will help beautify the facility by aiding in general maintenance and special improvement projects. Volunteers are encouraged to bring supplies from home (i.e., gloves, brooms, mops, etc.) to aid in this effort. (45134 Sierra Highway, Lancaster)
James C. Gilley Lancaster National Soccer Center Fence Painting. Saturday, January 18 (8 a.m. – Noon). Volunteers will repaint wrought iron fencing. Volunteers will work in an open environment with the knowledge that their contribution will be on display for all to see for a very long time. This project requires painting; wear appropriate clothing. (43000 30th Street East, Lancaster)
Lancaster Performing Arts Center Ambassador (Theater Usher) Project. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – Noon). Volunteers will help clean and repair orchestra chairs, tour the theater and learn what it takes to volunteer year round as a theater usher through the Ambassador Program. Additional information is available at: www.lpac.org. (750 W. Lancaster BLVD, Lancaster)
Mariposa Elementary School Landscape Project. Friday, January 17 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Volunteers will beautify the public school campus by planting trees. (Mariposa Elementary School, 737 West Avenue H-6, Lancaster)
Rawley Duntley Park Fence Painting Project. Saturday, January 18 (8 a.m. – Noon). Volunteers will repaint wrought iron fencing. This project requires painting; wear appropriate clothing. (3334 W. Avenue K, Lancaster)
South of Downtown (SODO) Curb Painting Project. Saturday, January 18 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Volunteers will repaint home addresses on the curb in the SODO neighborhood, home to many seniors and low income families. This project will help emergency personnel identify these homes quickly. (Meeting Location: NW Corner of Fig & Newgrove, Lancaster).
St. Vincent de Paul — Feeding the Homeless. Thursday, January 16 (9 – 10:30 a.m.). The Center is seeking a volunteer group (10 -15 people) to feed the homeless. The volunteer group will purchase, prepare and serve food to 150 people. (45058 Trevor Avenue, Suite B, Lancaster)
St. Vincent de Paul Donation Center.Monday, January 13; Wednesday, January 15; Thursday, January 16; and Saturday, January 18 (all days 10 a.m. – Noon). Donations of gently used winter clothing and shoes (infant to adult sizes), blankets/sleeping bags and travel sized toiletry items are accepted. (45058 Trevor Avenue, Suite B, Lancaster)
Valley Oasis Gardening Project. Saturday, January 18 (9 a.m. – Noon). Volunteers will help spruce up the landscape at a Valley Oasis facility. Volunteers are encouraged to bring gardening supplies such as gloves, rakes, shovels, shears, etc. (45133 60th Street West, Lancaster)
Volunteers are encouraged to sign-up for projects, even if you can only donate an hour or two. If you are interested in volunteering, complete a Volunteer Application online by clicking here or call (661) 723-6077 for more information.