Agoura residents can help out on Community Service Days

The Acorn
April 21, 2016

Agoura residents can help out on Community Service Days

By Stephanie Bertholdo

The City of Agoura Hills has expanded its annual Community Service Days to offer a wider scope of volunteer opportunities in and outside of the community.

Individuals, families, churches, schools, service clubs, Scouts, and seniors can sign up for a morning of volunteering Sat., May 7.

Nick Newkirk, recreation supervisor, said one program added this year will be the creation of care packages for the city’s adopted military group, the Wild Boars. During April, items for the care packages are being collected throughout Agoura Hills.

Items requested for the packages include magazines covering topics such as cars, health, motorcycles, fitness and news; bedding, including sheets and pillowcases for twin-size mattresses; and personal items like shaving cream, razors, air fresheners and hooks.

Food items are also needed: candy (hard and chocolate), jerky and nonperishable foods like mac and cheese, tuna, noodle cups, canned goods and microwaveable foods that have a long shelf life.

Deflated soccer balls, footballs and basketballs are also needed.

Drop-off centers:

Agoura Hills City Hall, 30001 Ladyface Court.

Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Court.

Agoura Hills Library, 30001 Ladyface Court.

Fire Station 89, 29575 Canwood St.

The deadline for dropping off items is May 4.

Also new to this year is a partnership with Big Sunday, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that provides a network of support for those in need, including homeless people, seniors and struggling families.

The organization is collecting gently used and new items—clothing, backpacks, small household items—along with nonperishable food as well as backyard fruits and vegetables, to take to the Family Rescue Center in Canoga Park. The Big Sunday collection will take place at Agoura Hills Chumash Park beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The community can get involved with a variety of projects that include painting, staining, landscaping, planting, cleaning and picking up trash at public parks, schools and other facilities.

Newkirk said the volunteerism that brings the community together to improve the city does more than just beautify where residents live and work. Community service provides them with the opportunity to meet people from various parts of the city and allows students to earn service hours for graduation.

Volunteers can to sign up alone or with groups. Separate waivers are required for projects overseen by organizations.

Sunscreen, water bottle and a hat are recommended. Volunteer hours are from about 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at Chumash Park, 5550 Medea Valley Drive, Agoura Hills. Materials will be provided for projects that require them.

After the service projects are completed, volunteers are invited back to Chumash Park for a free lunch, entertainment and a community service fair.

To sign up or for details, visit www.communityservicedays.org, call Nick Newkirk at (818) 597-7361 or email nnewkirk@ ci.agoura-hills.ca.us.

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