Volunteers Make a Difference, Clean Up Perris Hill Park

The community of San Bernardino banded together and helped clean up Perris Hill Park on Saturday, Oct. 26. Organized by the Neighborhood Association Council (N.A.C.) “Make a Difference Day” was a chance for residents to revitalize a location that many view as an important part of the city. Due to economic cutbacks in San Bernardino county, community events are more important than ever, according to volunteers on site over the weekend. “It’s a responsibility. The city needs help now because of the bankruptcy,” said Charlé Jacobs, vice president of Terrace West of the Neighborhood Association Council. “This is an opportunity for the community to do cleanups, and for everyone to help out the neighborhood. It helps to make the community aware that there are associations in the city, and it is a great opportunity to show people that we care as a community, and how they become parts of making a difference.” Perris Hill Park provides the surrounding neighborhoods a locale for events that would not be hosted otherwise. San Bernardino resident Katrina Bahamonde commented, “People who live in apartments don’t have the opportunity to have large gatherings. They have birthday parties here and they fill up the park … You want to see people coming out in the community and enjoying themselves.” Edwina Young also volunteered her services. “I love Perris Hill Park. It is something special for me from my teenage years. It needs help and I am here to do just that.” Volunteer Corie Lopez explained, “I think that it is really great that the residents are coming out to clean up, especially since it has been years since I’ve come to the park. I am just glad that I can be here to help out.” Nancilynne Brown-Thomas shared the story of how she once had to utilize Perris Hill Park in a way she never thought she would have to. Seven years ago, she and her family once slept in Perris Hill Park after their St. Louis home burned down. She said, “Being very familiar with this park, my family and I felt like we should find a way to continue to give back. That is why we are here; it is a way to show appreciation.” The Neighborhood Association Council provided rakes, shovels and telescoping pole saws for the volunteers who were at the park early Saturday removing debris and litter from the park. “It takes one hour of our time. We can have our parks beautiful again with a clean area for our kids to play,” said Bahamonde. The event was sponsored by the Neighborhood Associations Council, partnered with San Bernardino City Parks and Public Works. The city organizes community cleanup events like “Make a Difference Day” to promote community involvement. [END] Saturday, October 26, 2013 8am - 1pm Make a Difference Day Event Perris Hill Park Revitalization and Clean Up 780 E. 21st St. Highland Ave. and Valencia/Senior Center San Bernardino, CA 92405 Neighborhood Associations Council partnering with SB City Parks and Public Works Volunteers will work together to refresh this vitally important city park! Call SB Direct 384-7272 We would like to have a follow-up news article with a photo published in City News documenting this important project, which exemplifies the San Bernardino community working together during difficult financial times. Who would we contact about this? Thank you, Lynne Wear 951-237-3016 Muscupiabe Neighborhood Association, President NAC Parks Improvement Committee, Chair PR: James’ Independent article: The community of San Bernardino banded together and helped clean up Perris Hill Park on Saturday, Oct. 26. “Make a Difference Day” was a chance for residents to revitalize a location that many view as an important part of the city. Due to economic cutbacks in San Bernardino county, community events are more important than ever, according to volunteers on site over the weekend. “It’s a responsibility. The city needs help now because of the bankruptcy,” said Charlé Jacops, vice president of Terrace West of the Neighborhood Association Council. Perris Hill Park provides the surrounding neighborhoods a locale for events that would not be hosted otherwise. San Bernardino resident Katrina Bahamonde commented,”People who live in apartments don’t have the opportunity to have large gatherings. They have birthday parties here and they fill up the park ... You want to see people coming out in the community and enjoying themselves.” The Neighborhood Association Council provided rakes, shovels and telescoping pole saws for the volunteers, who were at the park early Saturday removing debris and litter from the park. “It takes one hour of our time. We can have our parks beautiful again with a clean area for our kids to play,” said Bahamonde. The event was sponsored by the Neighborhood Associations Council, partnered with San Bernardino City Parks and Public Works. The city organizes community clean up events like “Make a Difference Day” to promote community involvement. Kimberly’s Article: The Neighborhood Association Council, also known as the N.A.C., and residential volunteers had made it their priority to come and help clean up Perris Hill Park on Saturday October 26th, located in the city of San Bernardino. As said by one of the “Make A Difference” project coordinators, Charlie Jacobs says, “This is an opportunity for us to get together for the community to do clean-ups, and for everyone to help out their neighborhood. It helps to make the community aware that there are associations in the city what we do, and it is a great opportunity to show people what we care as a community, and how they become a part of making a difference.” Edwina Young, who had began to reminisce shared, “I am thrilled! I love Perris Hill Park. It is something special for me from my teenage years. It needs help and I am here to do just that.” Corie Lopez, who had also volunteered and helped Edwina Young with their assigned clean up section explained, “I am happy and I love Perris Hill Park. I think that it is really great that the residents are coming out to clean up. Especially since it has been years since I have come to the park! I am just glad that I can be here to help out.” As volunteers and members of the Neighborhood Association Council continued to clean up Perris Hill Park located in the city of San Bernardino, Nancilynne Brown-Thomas shared her story of perseverance explaining how seven years ago she and her family had once slept in Perris Hill Park after their home had burned down in St. Louis, Missouri. She humbly said,”Being very familiar with this park, my family and I felt like we should find a way to continue to give back. That is why we are here, it is a way to show appreciation.” To help clean up your city contact the Neighborhood Association Council at 909-885-1414.