News & Media

MLK Day offers day of service in east Baltimore

WBAL TV11 News
January 16, 2017

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It’s a day of service with the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in mind.

This was on full display in when an army of volunteers honed in on a single mission for a day of service in east Baltimore to clean up a lot and work to build a community garden.

“People on this day more than any day want to come together behind that and create a place we all love and can feel proud of,” Jenny Katz, volunteer coordinator with Civic Works, said.

It’s a feeling shared by those off work down to those off from school.

“I’m going to help other people clean up the environment and make it safer,” sixth-grader Alyssa Dalonzo said.

Cindy Dalonzo, Alyssa’s mother, agrees.

“It’s a good example for them to see an area that isn’t as taken care of as where they live,” Cindy Dalonzo said. “Hopefully they can take from that and want to help others on their own.”

In this case, what began as a vacant lot is slowly but surely becoming the Proctor Street Garden. Those in the community said it is a blessing for those that will actually use it.

“It helps out a great deal and I appreciate them every year,” Eugenia Woolford, resident services coordinator with Lillian Jones Apartments, said. “For people to come out and to do this is really great, you know it just helps the community and it’ll help the kids.”

And for these volunteers coming from all walks of life working on the project is part of a mindset that looks to continue well after MLK Day 2017 hits its final minute.