Help Wanted: 'Paint the Town Green' Takes on More Neighborhoods, Needs More Volunteers

By Mike Porter

This Saturday, volunteers from VCU will join residents of surrounding communities for the twice-yearly “Paint the Town Green,” picking up trash and clearing debris in the neighborhoods near both VCU campuses.

The effort, which is sponsored by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, is expanding into additional neighborhoods. Cleanups will be conducted in the Jackson Ward, Union Hill and Mosby communities, in addition to the Fan, Carver, Oregon Hill and Randolph neighborhoods where “Paint the Town Green” has been held for the past several years. 

The expanded territory requires more volunteers. Personnel from Fort Lee have responded in a big way. At least 75 soldiers will join the April 14 cleanup effort.

“To make this a success, we’re going to need close to 500 volunteers,” said Ron Brown, program director and community coordinator. “It’s fantastic that Fort Lee will be providing at least 75 active duty service members to support our effort. They’ll work side by side with our student veteran group. I hope the VCU community turns out to show the power of being a ‘ram’ and a good neighbor.”

Those who want to participate in cleanups in The Fan, Carver, Oregon Hill and Randolph community should meet at Monroe Park. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. before volunteers split into teams to head into the various neighborhoods.

Volunteers participating in the Jackson Ward cleanup will meet at 8 a.m. at Abner Clay Park, which is located directly across from Ebenezer Baptist Church at 216 W. Leigh St. The Jackson Ward cleanup continues until 11 a.m.

Volunteers for the Union Hill and Mosby Court communities will meet at 9 a.m. at 871 North 22nd St. That cleanup continues until noon.
 
Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves and picker-uppers. A limited number of gloves will be available for those who forget. 

Once the cleanup is complete, all participants are encouraged to meet in Monroe Park to enjoy the VCU Intercultural Festival.

To volunteer for VCU’s 4^th Paint the Town Green, visit:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkLREmtOqzYHdEsxeTRJYUVLUnUyVEJKX1pjRUFBT0E. 

For more information, visit http://www.community.vcu.edu/solutions/cce/calendar.html, VCU's Caring to Act Calendar, or contact the VCU Neighborhood Team at neighbors@vcu.edu or call 827-1904 no later than Thursday, April 12.

“Paint the Town Green” is scheduled on the second Saturday of each April and October and is sponsored by the VCU Council for Community Engagement, the Monroe Park and MCV Student Government Associations, the Alumni Association and neighborhood civic groups.