After 105 years of being one of the most maintained cities, Turlock is undergoing a massive makeover from head to toe.
Turlock Shines will hold its fifth annual volunteer project on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. The fall clean-up event is held annually by service clubs and area volunteers who clean up highways, parks and other public spaces in Turlock. This year event coordinators hope to also include those who need help cleaning up around homes and private property.
"It's very important to have a clean city where out-of-towners can see the beauty that is Turlock," said event organizer and Turlock City Council member Mary Jackson. "First impression is extremely important when looking at the aspect of a town."
This year Turlock Shines organizers welcome new volunteers from six local Mormon churches that will be cleaning South Golden State Boulevard from the overpass at Golf Road to the Merced County line.
"We divided the event into two separate days this year because certain volunteer groups couldn't make it on the original date we had planned," said Jackson. "Groups are so eager to volunteer in this project that adding a different date would attract more volunteers in our community."
An estimated 200 people will descend upon on Golden State Boulevard on Sept. 29, bags in hand to clear away trash, weeds and other debris on both sides of the four-lane road.
"We ask volunteers to bring an extra pair of gloves and equipment if they have it at their disposal," said Jackson. "We also ask our volunteers to bring an extra water bottle for it will be hot the day of the clean-up."
Volunteers will meet at Donnelly Park, area "J", by the wooden Play Park (near the intersection of Pedras and Julie on the north side of the park) at 8 a.m. for a light breakfast. The teams will work on various projects around the city, including cleaning water features at Broadway and Columbia parks, and cleaning the on-and-off-ramps along Highway 99 in Turlock.
"We are also looking for elderly residents who may need some extra hands doing yard work at their homes. We will have plenty of volunteers who are ready and willing to be put to work at your home," said Jackson.
Those interested in having a Turlock Shines volunteer team do some yard work at their home, or those who need a volunteer team form, would like to donate supplies, or need more information about the project, can call Mary Jackson at 585-7372, or e-mail, mary4turlock@sbcglobal.net. Turlock Shines volunteer forms are also available upstairs at the City Hall office.