Posts Tagged 'Project Sparkle and Shine'

Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (8-Taylor) pitched in on May 21 to help the city of Ecorse with a community-wide cleanup. Called Project Sparkle and Shine, the event engaged a wide variety of volunteers to improve a local park and clean up businesses, homes and public spaces.

Read on for more information on the project’s goals.

[The following story about the kickoff event was written by Lisa Yensen and originally published in The News Herald on May 7, 2011. Click here for the full article and a video.]

ECORSE — Community members and city officials gathered at 15th Street Park on Monday to kick off a citywide cleanup effort.

Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker, state Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), City Council members, employees of U.S. Steel-Great Lakes Works and residents gathered for the Project Sparkle and Shine kickoff event.

“Most property owners, for example, residents prepare for the spring with their own spring cleanup in and around their homes,” Parker said to the crowd. “Spring signals rejuvenation and a fresh approach. We at the city of Ecorse want to be a part of this movement and want to encourage others to do the same thing.”

U.S. Steel workers will be fixing the park as their way of helping clean up the community. They plan to fix broken fences, put new mulch under the playground equipment, build benches, paint and cut and edge the park’s grass. U.S. Steel will pay for all the materials needed to fix the park.

“They are the best,” said Gerald Champagne, public safety director and cleanup committee member. “There’s no way we’d be able to do it without (them).”

Hopgood was present to show his support. “It’s my pleasure to join with everyone here to promote this day,” he said. “I think it’s wonderful to see so many people come out. I am a true believer in people coming together to take care of issues and to solve problems, and that’s really what I see here happening today.”

Construction at the park, Outer Drive at 15th Street, could begin as early as this week. The rest of the citywide cleanup is set for 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21.

The goal of the event is to unite residents, community organizations, corporations and organized labor to positively impact the city.

Residents are encouraged to clean up as an individual, family, civic organization or school or church group.
—click here to read the full story—

Legislators Building Communities is definitely underway! We have three projects coming up in the next three days.

Saturday, May 21: Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (8-Taylor) is working with the City of Ecorse on their Project Sparkle & Shine, cleaning up targeted areas all around the city.

Sunday, May 22: Representative Gail Haines (43-Lake Angelus) will volunteer at the 3rd annual Walk On Common Ground, a walk to support youth, adults and families in crisis in Oakland County.

Monday, May 23: Rep. Dian Slavens (21-Canton Township) and Rep. Douglas Geiss (22-Taylor) will help distribute plants and tools to community gardens all around Wayne County in conjunction with the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency. Other Wayne County legislators have plans to help in their districts’ community gardens later this summer.

We hope the weekend brings good weather for these outdoor events! Stay tuned for pictures and stories in the coming weeks.