Group effort
Volunteers turn out on Make a Difference Day
With a pressure washer and lawn tools in hand, a group of dedicated volunteers gathered early on a Saturday morning to clean up the yard of an elderly Oakland Park resident. Well before noon, a hefty pile of brush was ready to be hauled away.
“This being national Make a Difference Day, I always schedule projects. A lot of people like to come out on this day to help,” said Oakland Park volunteer program manager Bruce Garrison.
The yard work was part of the city’s Operation Our Neighbor initiative. Seniors, disabled individuals and those who have exhausted every resource are eligible. Homeowners may be referred by code enforcement, fire rescue or civic associations.
“We try to do as many projects as we possibly can,” said Oakland Park Vice Mayor Tim Lonergan. “We welcome people to
join.”
Both new and longtime volunteers attended Make a Difference Day.
Kelly Carmichael, who recently bought a house in Oakland Park, said volunteering is a good way to get out and meet other locals.
“We’re invested in the community. This is where we live. We might make it a little bit better,” he said.
Pat Crowley said she never refuses a task. The retiree volunteers in every capacity from office assistance to graffiti patrol and was the city’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year.
The city has 300 active members in its Volunteer Corps, she said. A total of 1,200 are enrolled and volunteer occasionally.
“A lot of people from all around the county get involved in helping us out,” Garrison said. He looks for “important, meaningful things for people to get engaged in.”
Oakland Park offers a range of opportunities from short, one-time events to ongoing commitments like Adopt a Street. No matter how small it makes a big difference, Garrison said.
“I’m really proud of the volunteers we have,” Garrison said. “[Their effort] really does give a much better impression of the city.”
For more information visit OaklandParkFL.gov and click on the “Volunteer” link or call 954-630-4502.
“We’re invested in the community. This is where we live. We might make it a little bit better.” — Kelly Carmichael, volunteer