Being
SMRT at Operation Neighborhood
Last Saturday’s beautification project brought
a renewed sense of pride and comradery to the neighborhood area
surrounding the Martin King Park and Community Center as well as
the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool. Working along side the City of
Charleston Department of Parks and Recreation, the City of
Charleston Police Department, and local community leaders, the
Booster Club has helped provide the park with a fresh face for the
summer.
With plants, mulch, paint, and other supplies
provided by the City Parks and Recreation Dept., the work was a
cinch to complete. Volunteers from our club, the Masters swimmers,
neighborhood community members, the police-sponsored Boy Scout
troop, and employees of the Parks Department formed new friendships
as they gathered around painting and planting tasks. New sand on
the playground, shrubs around the pool building, and fresh paint on
basketball goals and baseball bleachers are among some of the many
projects completed. Fresh flowers and mulch now surround the park
sign and the grounds surrounding the play area are raked and freed
of debris. To complete the event, the City of Charleston police
department provided hot dogs, chips, and drinks to all volunteers.
Swimming pool personnel along with SMRT and Masters swimmers
provided swim skills stations in the water and patrons were
afforded an afternoon of free swimming.
“This was a needed event,” stated Ray
Moore, the president of our club. Laurie Yarbourgh, Stella Fruit,
and Chief Mullens also attended the event that completes the pool
improvements plans begun last January. Approximately 80 SMRT club
members participated in the first-time event on Saturday as well as
nearly 40 other volunteers from collaborating organizations. Even
Mr. Wright, a long time community member living near-by, gave his
approval as kept his ever watchful eye on things while sitting in
his usual spot in the shade.
Safety improvements in place,
beautification projects completed, and a diverse community coming
together to get the job done. Priceless.
