When Jim Foubister saw that Oct. 26 is Make a Difference Day – the National Day of Doing Good – he got a great idea. “I think we can get 300 volunteers to come in and help makeover the parks in Venice that day,” he said.
Foubister has been closely associated with One Christ Won City and turned to the organization to help get the volunteer movement started. They were soon joined by Venice Area Beautification and Drapple Apps.
He then consulted Public Works Director John Veneziano to learn exactly what would be most useful for volunteers to do in one morning. Next, he took the idea to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board, which liked it so much most of its members were ready to sign up.
On Oct. 26, volunteers will meet in Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 S. Harbor Drive, at 8:30 a.m. to mulch playgrounds, rake leaves, replace slats in park benches and refresh paint on signs in various city parks.
“It’s work, but it will be fun and rewarding,” Foubister said.
Foubister is hoping civic organizations, service clubs, high school students and, of course, individuals, will want to be part of this event.
Volunteers who register by Oct. 14 will receive a free t-shirt. On the workday, around noon, everyone will get free barbecue lunch.
To register, people can go to the city app and sign up. For more information, call (941) 416-7061 or e-mail venice.makeadifference2013@gmail.com