Donations for the Escalon Animal Shelter, dusting and organizing the books on shelves in the Escalon Library, adding a splash of bright color for fire hydrants – there were many projects going on Saturday, April 30 for the Love Escalon community work day.
Organizer Jessica Wylie said she was thrilled with the event overall, seeing dozens of volunteers tackle multiple projects throughout the city.
“We had about 70 volunteers and more than 10 projects,” Wylie explained.
The day began with a kickoff rally at the city’s Main Street Park. Among those addressing the crowd was Brenda Davis, whose late husband, Pastor Jim Davis, was the first to propose including Escalon in the ‘Love’ effort that is done by many communities throughout the region. He got the idea after seeing Love Modesto in action and brought it to Escalon.
“It was a very heartfelt, beautiful speech,” Wylie said of the remarks by Brenda Davis.
Also encouraging the volunteers was Escalon City Councilman Robert Swift and Wylie said over 40 sponsors helped contribute to the work day effort.
“We just had an amazing response this year,” she said.
There was a clean-up effort at the city’s Animal Shelter on River Road. Escalon Youth Center benefited from some sprucing up, inside and out, with the local C.A.R.E. food cupboard also seeing some volunteers come in to help.
There was a prom dress drop off for Project Prom and inside the library’s Ekholm Community Room, Miss Escalon Madison Hagglund and members of her court – Hannah Luna, Marcela Mancilla and Bella Ambro – hosted Bingo for local senior citizens.
Happy Artists studio in the Vineyard Square Shopping Center on McHenry opened its doors to provide free crafts and snacks for youngsters as part of the Love Escalon day as well.
A firefighter by trade, Marty Cornilsen was right at home with his project, painting fire hydrants a bright yellow along Main Street.
“We moved here about three years ago,” he said of he and his wife, both volunteering for the day. “This is the first time we have done this.”
By the Grange Hall on Main, members of the Poovey and Flowers families, kids and adults, were weeding and freshening up the tree wells lining the street.
“We did gardening before,” said Simeon Poovey, 11, as he helped clean up weeds and debris.
“We just wanted to help serve the community,” added adult volunteer Marika Flowers. “We are members at Jackson Avenue Church and our pastor encouraged people to volunteer. It’s a good thing.”
Dusting the shelves in the library, Jennifer Vick said in past years, she has helped wash the school busses at the bus garage as part of Love Escalon.
“I like how the community comes together,” she said, “to help out the businesses and one another.”
She also admitted to “finding a lot of books” she wants to read while dusting the shelves.
Freshman Jack Poortinga of Escalon, who attends Ripon High School, was doing the community service as a requirement for health class while local business owner Steve Huff of RCM Powerwashing was donating time, equipment and manpower to freshen up the Escalon Post Office building and parking lot, powerwashing at the Coley Avenue facility.
Several levels of sponsorship were available, including Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver, with a banner recognizing the sponsors displayed on the Main Street stage.
Also available was a Love Escalon banner, with participants encouraged to sign it and share a message of why they love the community.
Wylie said she was excited with the success of the day, with so many residents turning out to share in the work and show pride for the city they call home.
