‘Tis the Season of Service
Block party kicks off annual series of community events
PALMDALE — The slate of activities under Palmdale’s 2020 “Season of Service” kicks off Saturday with the Hope and Unity Block Party, part of the annual celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.
The party, sponsored by Advancing Communities Together, is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ACT’s facility, 38626 Ninth
St. East.
The block party is free and open to the community and will feature games, food, live music, art and information on available resources.
ACT is an umbrella for other services such as the Antelope Valley YouthBuild, which offers education services to children, and Palmdale Dream Center, for transitional age youth in need of housing.
Beyond Saturday’s kickoff party are scheduled a variety of events through the coming months in which residents will have the opportunity to give back within their community.
“Join your friends, family and neighbors and make a difference by being a part of the city’s seventh annual Sea
son of Service,” Community Programs Supervisor Trish Jones said. “There are many opportunities to volunteer your time, learn about the community and give back in areas that are meaningful to you.”
Last year, Palmdale residents donated more than 35,000 hours of service towards making Palmdale an even better place to live.
Next up this month is the Antelope Valley Homeless Count on Jan. 23.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, this annual census of homeless in the community provides data used in funding and program decisions.
Youth may participate but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Registration is available at www.theycountwillyou.org
Groups will deploy to designated areas from two Palmdale Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints locations, one at 2120 East Ave. R and the other at 39546 23rd St. West.
A community cleanup day on the Barrel Springs Path is scheduled for April 4.
Registration at Pearblossom Highway and Spanish Broom Drive will begin at 8 a.m. with the project starting at 8:30 a.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring work gloves and rakes.
A Food Insecurity Conference is set for April 23 to bring together local service providers and concerned citizens to discuss combatting hunger in the community.
The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway.
Advance registration is required at www.cityofpalmdale.org/hunger A second community cleanup day is set for April 25, this time at Courson Park and the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services facility on Q-12 and 10th St. East.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at SAVES, with work starting at 8:30 a.m.
Participants are again encouraged to bring work gloves and rakes.
Two Stamp Out Hunger events are planned for May, in which the U.S. Postal Services partners with SAVES for a food drive to stock the service that aids local families in need.
The first event is the annual food drive by letter carriers on May 9 and will take place at various times at the SAVES site.
Part Two will be a week later on May 16, when volunteers are needed to help process the donations for distribution.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at SAVES, 1002 East Ave. Q-12.
Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult for all these activities. All participants must complete a Release of Liability (available at www.cityofpalmdale.org or at event registration).
Residents may also develop their own service projects.
To offer ideas or for details, go to www.cityofpalmdale.org/Engaged or call 661267-5473.