More than 700 volunteers armed with shovels, paint brushes and hammers will work on 50 community projects for the fourth annual Day of Service event on Saturday, May 31, culminating with a celebration lunch, music and fellowship at NTC Park at Liberty Station.
Organized by the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, the day of service has consistently grown in size, expanding to 20 new projects with volunteers working from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in communities and neighborhoods in need.
 “The Day of Service and other efforts are a great way for citizens to come together, serve the community and help transform the neighborhoods of our city,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Key projects include repainting the Alpha Project Transitional Housing site downtown, repainting the Barrio Station building, entryway beautification in Broadway Heights, installing fencing for a future Urban Farm site in Southeast San Diego, building picnic tables at the Jackie Robinson YMCA, bench construction at the Presbyterian Urban Ministries, constructing box gardens for seniors, cleanup of Memorial Skateboard Park, volunteer service at the Jacobs Cushman San Diego Food Bank and cleanup of Lincoln and Point Loma high schools and Gompers Academy.
Many faith-based groups have joined in the effort, including members from Point Loma United Methodist, Southeast San Diego Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian and Ocean View Church. Key volunteer groups will include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Point Loma Association, Veterans Village of San Diego, high school and college student groups and many others.
Volunteers are still needed for projects and will be provided a free T-shirt and lunch.
“The Day of Service has been a highlight for our church, and it’s given us the opportunity to help neighborhoods in need and to put faith into action,” said Karla Shaw, associate pastor of the Point Loma Presbyterian Church. 
Many school projects are included in the effort, including Dana Middle School and elementary school sites in Ocean Beach and the Peninsula. Environmental clean-up and restoration projects will include the Famosa Slough wetlands, San Diego River, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and Cabrillo National Monument as well as work on city parks.
The Day of Service includes a variety of projects so all ages can participate, including creating cards and writing letters to the military, sewing in the prayer quilt ministry, baking cookies, preparing food for the homeless, delivering plants to shut-ins and singing for senior citizens.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to participate for the greater good of our city,” said Byron Wear, Day of Service event co-chairman and former San Diego city councilman.
In addition to the Day of Service, future efforts will match neighborhood projects and needs with volunteers and organizations wanting to transform San Diego.
Contributions are needed to purchase project materials. Forward tax-deductible contributions to the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church made payable to: PLCPC – Day of Service, 2128 Chatsworth Blvd., San Diego, 92107.
For more information, call (619) 326-8894 or sign up at www.pointlomachurch.org/serve/day-of-service.