City seeks volunteers for Community Spirit Day

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – City officials are looking for interested individuals to take part in Community Spirit Day, set for Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to noon.
“The city has traditionally held a day in the spring for picking up trash, cleaning things up and so on, with a barbecue held after at Riverside Park. Last year, City Council decided the city would try something a bit more involved, a more focused project,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Trombley.
    City officials talked with the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce and members of the Downtown Revitalization Committee and decided this Saturday would be the date to hold the event.
“We’ve been trying to drum up people to sign up for projects by May 16 but volunteers are welcome at any point,” said Trombley.
The May 16 deadline is primarily so organizers can make sure adequate materials are on hand for volunteers.
“Asking for registration by May 16 allows us to coordinate appropriate supplies for each project,” said Chris Beaulieu, director of the Rec Department and one of the event organizers.
To date, organizers have a list of things they’ve come up with, with two specific sites the focus of this year’s efforts.
“We’re looking at revitalizing the outdoor pool, through painting, washing the building. We probably can’t do everything that needs to be done, it just depends on the number of volunteers we have as to how much we can accomplish,” said Trombley.
The second project involves sprucing up Riverside Park, painting benches, picking up trash and so on.
“The Rotary Club will be trimming hedges at Riverside,” continued Trombley.
Projects include, but are not limited to, cleaning and painting at the outdoor pool, picking up garbage along the bike path, painting and clearing brush at Riverside Park and helping clean up along Main Street, said Beaulieu.
People are also asked to consider sponsoring a flowerpot.
“Especially Scouts or church groups that might be interested in maintaining a flowerpot – we’d like to see a group or organization get involved in maintaining flowers in the community,” said Trombley.
Organizers are really hoping to get the community involved. The Downtown Revitalization Committee will also be kicking off their own project that day as well.
“The DRC will kick of their Downtown Scrubdown that day, to get the town ready before the Memorial Day parade. They’ll be hosting a Best-Looking Building contest the week of May 19-26, with judging at the end of the week,” said Trombley.
Community Spirit Day is designed to bring citizens together in an effort to encourage interest in their hometown.
“Volunteers can be families, employees, businesses, church groups – whoever wants to take part. After the work is done, the city will host a cookout at Riverside, with councilors doing the cooking,” said Trombley.
To register or for more information, contact Beaulieu at 764-2545. No rain date has been set.
“Work will go rain or shine,” said Trombley.