Santa Paula, CA – Hundreds of individuals and several community organizations and groups came together and dedicated their Saturday morning on May 1st to partake in the City’s second Santa Paula Beautiful event. This all-volunteer showing of community pride participated in a total of 15 beautification projects throughout the City including cleaning up trash in various recreational, business and residential areas, as well as engaging in a variety of paint and repair work of City facilities and landmarks.
The Santa Paula volunteer spirit spanned 300+ volunteers, 17 local clubs and organizations, 60 newly painted street poles and more than 12,000 pounds, or 6 tons, of recovered trash and debris. The amount of trash collected is equivalent to about six small cars or 40 California black bears!
Some projects, such as painting the Cultural Arts Building and skate park fence and the rehabilitation of the Caretaker’s house at Harding Park, were such large undertakings that they could not be finished during the event. Thanks to Santa Paulans’ selfless commitment to community, however, many volunteers — like the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and Painter’s Allied Trades Unions — worked beyond the four-hour event and even into the follow days to finish these projects.
This giving spirit permeated the community so deeply that the volunteers’ service was met with gratitude from Garden Market. This local grocery store staple donated 150 burritos for the volunteers’ lunch.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our dedicated volunteers who helped make this event more successful than we could have ever imagined,” said Santa Paula City Manager Dan Singer. “Santa Paulans’ eagerness to unite and help keep Santa Paula beautiful is truly unparalleled.”
While many volunteers were Santa Paula residents committing their Saturday morning to their community, many volunteers also came out to represent local community groups and organizations. Members of the Santa Paula Rotary Club, Optimist Club, Boys and Girls Club, various Santa Paula High School clubs (Future Farmers of America, Leo’s Club, Key Club and Interact), Young Professionals Group, Painter’s Allied Trades Unions, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Chamber of Commerce, America in Bloom and even several members of the City Council and City staff joined the community in its efforts to maintain the City. Several local religious groups including the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bridge Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception also got involved and volunteered for this day dedicated to community service.
“It was truly remarkable to see the enormous number of people spanning all ages, races, ethnicities, religions and affiliations who care so deeply about our City,” said Santa Paula Mayor Carlos Juarez. “Santa Paula residents have an ingrained sense of community and service, and it was evident that this could not be altered or dampened by the trials and challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. We hope to continue this tradition and see even more residents at our future volunteer events.”
Please click here to see a video recap of the May 1st Santa Paula Beautiful event.
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