Monrovians to Make a Difference Citywide Saturday

Hundreds of Monrovia residents wielding brooms, paintbrushes, and gardening tools will fan out across the city to do good deeds Saturday as part of the annual Make a Difference Day event.

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the event for Monrovia.

Judy Angelo, chief executive officer of the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley, said it is a day set aside nationwide for people to take time to come out and lend a hand.

Monrovia residents are very giving and eagerly support Make A Difference Day, Angelo said.

"Monrovians are an exceptional group of residents," she said.  "They are tied so closely together. They don't hesitate to come out."

The committee that plans the event has a list of 27 projects this year to be done around town.  Projects range from cleaning to gardening work to the exterior painting of homes, she said.

Everyone participates, from the youth to the disabled to the elderly, she said.

"This is something that goes through every walk of life," she said.  "You get a very diverse group of people."

Penny Arroyo, a retired city employee who is helping to coordinate the event, said around 300 volunteers are expected to show up Saturday.

A sampling of the projects planned include an e-waste collection event at the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley, a Goodwill collection drive at Monrovia Presbyterian Church, mulching and clean up at Library Park, the painting of the gazebo at Julian Fisher Park, and the painting of fences at Recreation Park, Arroyo said.

Although the event is this weekend, the work won't end then, Arroyo said. Requests that can't be completed on Saturday could be done at a later date, she said.

"What a wonderful experience to see business owners, council members, youth all coming together as a community and giving back to the community," she said.

Registration for the event starts at 7 a.m. at Library Park and the kickoff is at 8 a.m.  Snacks, lunch, and water will be provided for participants.

To sign up to volunteer visit the Volunteer Center of San Gabriel Valley's website at www.vcsgv.org, call 626-256-8187, or just show up at Library Park on Saturday.