By Ana Gramling
Become a “warrior” and volunteer for the next East Village Community Clean Up Day.
The first cleanup of 2016 is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m. – noon. Volunteer meetup is in the lobby of the Urbana Apartments and Lofts, located at 450 10th Ave.
Clean & Safe, of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, will be donating trash bags and all supplies. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Monthly cleanup days in East Village are held on the second Saturday of each month and the cleanup locations vary, but are always prominent areas throughout East Village.
Volunteers have expressed what a great time they are having during the cleanups and East Village neighbors and Downtown visitors have also said they love what the cleanup crews are doing for the local businesses and the East Village residents.
The reward of hearing “thank you” will make you smile and encourage you to participate at the next cleanup day.
Invite a neighbor or a friend to join in the cleanup and you too will feel great for giving back to our community.
After the cleanup, all volunteers are encouraged to meet on the rooftop of Urbana for a free lunch, generously donated by The District, located at 1021 Market St., in East Village.
Those interested in volunteering should RSVP to EastVillageCommunityCleanUp2.eventbrite.com no later than Jan. 8.
—Ana Gramling is a board member of the East Village Residents Group (EVRG). EVRG meets the third Thursday of every month. For more info visit evrgsd.org.
East village news
RESIDENTS’ MEETING
The next East Village Residents Group Meeting will take place Jan. 21 at 6 p.m., at the East Village Community Church, located at 1374 Island Ave.
The January agenda includes regular visits from Joyce Temporal, deputy director to Senator Marty Block (D-CA39); Anthony Bernal, community representative for District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria; Brad Richter, vice president of CIVIC San Diego; Bajija Hamraz, executive director of the Clean & Safe program; and Susie de la Pena, community liaison for the San Diego Police Department.
Guest speakers for January include Deacon Jim Vargas, CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, with an update on the permanent homeless shelter; and Jeffrey Sitcov, founder of Doors of Change, who will speak on youth homelessness.
There will be many other discussions and announcements so if you live in East Village, make sure you attend.
Meetings are held every third Thursday of every other month. The next meeting will be March 17.
