Turlock community members will feel the love on May 7 as the fifth annual Love Turlock event hits the city’s streets.

The event is a one-day, city-wide service extravaganza designed to meet needs of the community and impact the lives of residents. Church groups, service groups and those who simply wish to get involved in the community gather to tackle projects – both big and small – and show love in a variety of ways, whether it be by visiting seniors, collecting food for the homeless, yard work or painting.

Love Turlock is a volunteer event, with those who donate their time tackling projects that can be completed in two to four hours. Volunteers can either develop their own projects or join a project provided by the event. Some of this year’s tasks include baking treats for the families of hospice patients, cleaning up the Broadway Park water park, repairing a family’s gate and washing the windows of an elderly woman’s home.

Each project is chosen with the theme, “Reach out and help someone,” in mind, according to lead team member Craig Brooks.

“We love personal connection type projects where people meet other people in need,” said Brooks. “We’re helping them with their needs, but also reaching out and forming relationships that hopefully last beyond the day.”

Love Turlock allows volunteers to help other community members they may not come into contact with normally.

“It’s a great way for volunteers to get out and meet new people,” said Brooks.

The event kicks off with a rally at 7:30 a.m. in the free stage area of the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, and then from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. volunteers will complete the projects around town that they signed up for. The event concludes with a free barbecue lunch for volunteers and recipients from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. back at the fairgrounds.

To view the full lists of projects, sign up to volunteer or donate to help cover event expenses, visit www.loveturlock.com.