Community members celebrate MLK with day of service


Volunteers work with the city of Vancouver to improve neighborhood park

VANCOUVER — In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., volunteers from Vancouver neighborhood associations, the city of Vancouver, AmeriCorps, and neighbors themselves teamed up to revamp Homestead Neighborhood Park in east Vancouver.

Members of the community of all ages gathered on MLK Day to honor Dr. King by devoting the day to servicing Homestead Neighborhood Park. Photo by Mike Schultz
Members of the community of all ages gathered on MLK Day to honor Dr. King by devoting the day to servicing Homestead Neighborhood Park. Photo by Mike Schultz

“Jean Kent was the lead on this and our inspiration for our project today with Martin Luther King as well, and just his mind of service and to dedicate this day to him as a day on and not a day off,” said Samantha Moullet, the Volunteer Program Assistant with the city of Vancouver. 

For over an hour on MLK Day, the team worked to plant more than 20 trees and some 50 native spirea shrubs. Mulching of older trees in need of trimming and trash cleanup was also a component of the service. 

Adelyn Emil plants a native Spirea plant during the annual MLK Day of Service. Photo by Mike Schultz
Adelyn Emil plants a native Spirea plant during the annual MLK Day of Service. Photo by Mike Schultz

The Day of Service is an annual event in Vancouver, and is always in memory of Dr. King and his devotion to serving and community. All ages attended and can attend future events. 

“The 24 trees are really going to add to the park, providing shade and habitat for the park, as well as just beauty so that the neighborhood can really continue to enjoy it for generations to come,” said Jessica George, the Urban Forestry Education and Outreach Coordinator city of Vancouver.
For more information on similar, future events, you can reach out to the Parks and Recreation department at parksrec@cityofvancouver.us

Son Do (left) and Dusti Howery (right) work on getting a new tree planted during the city of Vancouver’s Day of Service in Homestead Neighborhood Park. Photo by Mike Schultz
Son Do (left) and Dusti Howery (right) work on getting a new tree planted during the city of Vancouver’s Day of Service in Homestead Neighborhood Park. Photo by Mike Schultz

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