One of the teams from last year’s Hands On Jamestown event pose in Tracy Plaza. Last year over 800 volunteers came together to make the event a success.
Hands On Jamestown, a communitywide effort facilitated by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation to clean and beautify the streets of Jamestown, will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 20.
Participants assist the City of Jamestown Parks Department with flower planting, litter collection, raking, sweeping and other clean-up activities in downtown Jamestown and surrounding neighborhoods. Complimentary refreshments will be available at City Hall from 8-8:45 a.m. at which time volunteers can pick up garbage bags and rubber gloves if they do not have their own. Check-in is not required, however Jamestown Renaissance Corporation staff will be available at City Hall throughout the event to provide assistance, directions and coordinate efforts.
“We had great success with the online registration for Hands On Jamestown last year and we are continuing that for 2017,” said Christina Breen, events and project associate for the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. “Individuals, families, or groups interested in volunteering can visit our website to submit a digital registration and view a map of clean-up sites.”
An interactive map is updated daily to allow people to choose a clean-up area that is right for them. Most volunteers who sign up already have an idea of where they would like to work. For those who don’t, event organizers offer several suggestions of areas in need of attention each year including: Second Street between Foote Avenue and Buffalo Street, Washington Street between Fluvanna Avenue and the Washington Street Bridge, Allen Street, Crescent Street, city parks, school perimeters, main gateways into the city, I-86 entrance, and playgrounds. Volunteers are also encouraged to start clean-up and beautification projects in the neighborhoods where they live.
“While litter collection is the easiest task to perform, participants are also encouraged to pick up branches, leaves, sweep sidewalks and curbs, and help other community planting projects in the city,” Breen said.
Due to limited resources, people are encouraged to use their own tools and gloves and other equipment. In addition, participants are asked to wear green t-shirts, sweatshirts, or jackets to stand out to motorists.
For more information on Hands On Jamestown or to see the map and register for the event, visit jamestownrenaissance.org/handsonjamestown or call 664-2477, ext 226.
