Community Beautification Shows City-Wide Colton Pride

Seventy-two volunteers rose early last Saturday, July 20 to help beautify one Colton neighborhood that needed a little tender love and care. Volunteers gathered at the George Brown Park at 8 a.m. that morning to work alongside Colton Mayor Pro Tem David Toro, who oversees District 1, with neighborhood beautification efforts. Volunteers checked in and received vests and gloves, all donated from local businesses for this initiative. According to Toro, the initiative has been in the works for a year. About a month and a half ago, a date for the project was set. “This area is one that has the most concerns, so I wanted to focus on it,” said Toro. He added that other businesses got involved as well, noting that the fire department donated $500, funds used to purchase plants for the project. The area was prepared by public works, and volunteers worked for two hours to plant several different types of plants, shrubs and laid woodchips, shared Toro. “This is a city-wide effort and our motto is ‘City-wide—Colton Pride.’ We have people from all over the city coming out here to help beautify this area,” said Toro. "I anticipated a four hour project, but with the amount of people that came out, we were done in two." Toro insisted that City Clerk Eileen Gomez was a big help in recruiting volunteers, stating that spreading the word about the event was one of the reasons for its success. More than 70 volunteers came to help, filing out from various youth organizations and churches. Volunteers included the Colton High School cheerleaders and football team, members from First Assembly of God church and the Emmaus Center, added Toro. Pizzas were donated by Nickelodeon Pizza, with cold drinks provided by the Colton Police Officers Association and Colton Disposal. “The event was well organized and there was a team attitude. It was great,” said April Hoss, Director of Operations at the Emmaus Center. “It takes people coming together to do a project, getting pride regarding a project, understanding they can make a difference,” said Interim City Manager Stephen Compton. Toro explained, “It’s something to unite on. I was very proud of the people in the surrounding neighborhood and group organizations that came out to help clean up and beautify the area. It shows that 'Colton Pride is City Wide' and people in Colton care about their town." City leaders look to continue the community beautification efforts in the future, as Toro shared that plans are currently being discussed to set a date and time for the next project. A database of volunteers to help the City is being put together. Contact the City Council office at 909-370-5060 for more information on how you can volunteer. [END] District 1 Beautification Day Date: Saturday, July 20, 2013 Time: 8:00 a.m. Event Location: George Brown Park Address: 1950 San Bernardino Avenue Colton CA 92324 Description: Volunteers must complete application prior to event. Tasks will be clean up, planting trees, flowers and landscaping. CONTACT INFO Phone: 909-370-5060 From David Toro: We had 72 people volunteer. I was fortunate to organize this with Eileen Gomez to coordinate the people, waiver forms and gathering supplies, Public works prepared the area. The Volunteers specifically planted several different types of plants, shrubs, and wood chips for ground cover. I anticipated a 4 hour project, but with the amount of people that came out, we were done in 2. Nickelodeon pizza supplied pizzas for the volunteers and the Colton Police Officers Association and Colton Disposal provided Cold drinks when we were done. I also have to give a big thanks to Colton Fire Association for donating 500.00 that allowed us to purchase the plants and shrubs to plant. Since it takes a few months to organize a project like this, I will be working to start another on so we can have one organized and ready to go some time in the Fall. I know my fellow Councilmembers are talking about doing one in their Districts as well. I've attached a group picture with all the whole group that came out. It would be nice to use that picture. I was very proud of the people in the surrounding neighborhood and group organizations that came out to help clean up and beautify the area. It shows that "Colton Pride is City Wide" and people in Colton care about their town. We are creating a database of Volunteers to help the City. Please contact our office at (909) 370-5060 or go to the City Website for information.