(April 13, 2017) Organizers of Berlin Clean-Up Day, April 22, continue to search for an organization to help feed its volunteer workforce.
SonRise Church had supplied grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and canned soda for participants during prior years, but was apparently overbooked on the date, which also happens to be Earth Day.
In Berlin, the annual event calls on members of the community to help freshen up town parks. The Berlin Parks Commission oversees Clean-Up Day, and registration start at 8:30 a.m. at both Stephen Decatur and Dr. William Henry parks.
Last year, volunteers and members of town staff planted flowers in the beds outside of Berlin Falls park, installed four new park benches at Henry Park, and assisted with trimming, weeding and gardening at Stephen Decatur Park.
At noon, about 100 volunteers gathered at Henry Park for a free lunch a good deal of camaraderie.
During a parks commission meeting last Tuesday, Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen, the liaison to the group, said she had sent a few emails to town staff and elected officials asking for ideas for potential donors. She said Home Depot agreed to donate water for Clean-Up Day, but the town was still looking for assistance with food.
“We asked if there was any organization that could step up and do it and have not really gotten any response,” she said. “Even if we just had individually packaged cookies and crackers and just snack kind of stuff [it would help].”
If no one steps forward, she said, the show would still go on.
“Nobody is showing up to work for two hours for the reward of a frozen hamburger patty – but it’s always nice to be able to provide that,” Bohlen said.
According to a press release issued about the event last Thursday, some supplies will be available for use, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. Rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows are especially needed.
The event will include free children’s activities at 11 a.m. at both Henry and Stephen Decatur parks. Students from Salisbury University will hand out information about green initiatives.
Commission member Patricia Dufendach noted that April 22 would be a busy day in Berlin. It will also mark the debut of a new event, the “Blessing of the Wheels,” organized by Gussie Sholtis of Sheppard Realty. The mayor and council granted approval for the festival during a meeting in February.
Sholtis said the Blessing of the Wheels would honor nonmotorized means of transportation at Stephen Decatur Park from noon to 3 p.m., in honor of Earth Day. A “signs of spring” scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, a tree and bird-identification walking tour of the park, and a 0.10K race for seniors citizens with walkers were also planned.
The Berlin Parks Commission also has its hands in another busy day in Berlin, Saturday, May 6, when it will host the spring Just Walk event at Stephen Decatur Park. Registration is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and is free. The event will begin at 9 a.m.
Touch a Truck Day, at Stephen Decatur Park, and the Jazz and Blues Bash, set in downtown Berlin, will also be held on May 6.
To inquire about donating or assisting during Clean-Up Day, contact Bohlen at 410-641-4314 or mbohlen@berlinmd.gov.
SonRise Church had supplied grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and canned soda for participants during prior years, but was apparently overbooked on the date, which also happens to be Earth Day.
In Berlin, the annual event calls on members of the community to help freshen up town parks. The Berlin Parks Commission oversees Clean-Up Day, and registration start at 8:30 a.m. at both Stephen Decatur and Dr. William Henry parks.
Last year, volunteers and members of town staff planted flowers in the beds outside of Berlin Falls park, installed four new park benches at Henry Park, and assisted with trimming, weeding and gardening at Stephen Decatur Park.
At noon, about 100 volunteers gathered at Henry Park for a free lunch a good deal of camaraderie.
During a parks commission meeting last Tuesday, Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen, the liaison to the group, said she had sent a few emails to town staff and elected officials asking for ideas for potential donors. She said Home Depot agreed to donate water for Clean-Up Day, but the town was still looking for assistance with food.
“We asked if there was any organization that could step up and do it and have not really gotten any response,” she said. “Even if we just had individually packaged cookies and crackers and just snack kind of stuff [it would help].”
If no one steps forward, she said, the show would still go on.
“Nobody is showing up to work for two hours for the reward of a frozen hamburger patty – but it’s always nice to be able to provide that,” Bohlen said.
According to a press release issued about the event last Thursday, some supplies will be available for use, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. Rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows are especially needed.
The event will include free children’s activities at 11 a.m. at both Henry and Stephen Decatur parks. Students from Salisbury University will hand out information about green initiatives.
Commission member Patricia Dufendach noted that April 22 would be a busy day in Berlin. It will also mark the debut of a new event, the “Blessing of the Wheels,” organized by Gussie Sholtis of Sheppard Realty. The mayor and council granted approval for the festival during a meeting in February.
Sholtis said the Blessing of the Wheels would honor nonmotorized means of transportation at Stephen Decatur Park from noon to 3 p.m., in honor of Earth Day. A “signs of spring” scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, a tree and bird-identification walking tour of the park, and a 0.10K race for seniors citizens with walkers were also planned.
The Berlin Parks Commission also has its hands in another busy day in Berlin, Saturday, May 6, when it will host the spring Just Walk event at Stephen Decatur Park. Registration is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and is free. The event will begin at 9 a.m.
Touch a Truck Day, at Stephen Decatur Park, and the Jazz and Blues Bash, set in downtown Berlin, will also be held on May 6.
To inquire about donating or assisting during Clean-Up Day, contact Bohlen at 410-641-4314 or mbohlen@berlinmd.gov.