2011 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project Headed to Grand Rapids

Written by: Michigan’s AmeriCorps Team

In just two days more than 350 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members will gather in Grand Rapids for the annual Russ Mawby Signature Service Project! On Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 members will assist with various community projects and work with several organizations to make a significant impact on the Grand Rapids community.

Each year, the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project brings hundreds of AmeriCorps members to one Michigan community for two days of training, teambuilding, and service. By the end of the second day, several projects are completed, visibly demonstrating the power of Michigan's AmeriCorps members in action. The 2011 project is a partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids, and Elemental Media.

This year’s project has been designated as Michigan’s 2011 AmeriCorps Week closing event. AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
We know parks are essential to a community's quality of life. AmeriCorps members will serve with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the City of Grand Rapids to enhance their annual "I LOVE GR PARKS" event. Members will help communities get a jump on the upcoming summer by sprucing up local parks; including Wilcox, Richmond, and MLK, among others. Teams of AmeriCorps members will work with neighborhood volunteers to conduct playground repair, court resurfacing, trash cleanup, equipment installation, and general repair.

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County
As part of the Wealthy Heights Partnership Project, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County has been focused on revitalizing the Wealthy Heights neighborhood of East Hills. In addition to being one of Grand Rapids’ most eclectic and diverse neighborhoods, Wealthy Heights is home to Habitat Kent’s first net-zero energy home, which offers a hard working family a nearly $0 energy bill at the end of the month. AmeriCorps members will assist with revitalization efforts by scraping and painting homes, doing a variety of landscaping projects, and repairing or replacing porches, fences, windows, and doors. For more information on the Wealthy Heights Partnership Project, visit: http://www.habitatkent.org/BuildingGreen/WealthyHeightsPartnershipProject.aspx.

On-Site Book Drive
As part of the 2011 Russ Mawby Signature Service project, an on-site book drive will occur at various service project sites on May 20 and 21. All collected books will be donated to the Heart of West Michigan United Way Schools of Hope program. Donations will be distributed to public schools throughout Grand Rapids. Drop-off sites for the book drive include Sparrows on Wealthy Street, Wilcox Park, Richmond Park, MLK Park, and Hillcrest Park.

Cinema & Service Night
Residents and families of Grand Rapids are invited to attend the first ever “Cinema & Service Night” held at Wilcox Park on Friday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. The event is being held in conjunction with the 2011 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, a large scale service project occurring in Grand Rapids May 20 and 21 as part of the 2011 AmeriCorps Week.

Join the more than 350 Michigan’s AmeriCorps members who will be visiting Grand Rapids from across the state for an evening of fun! The night will kick off with a volunteer fair that will allow residents to discover the various ways they can serve in the Grand Rapids community. Several nonprofits will be on hand to provide resources and information about their volunteer programs.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m. the hit movie “Megamind” will be shown on the lawn at Wilcox Park. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and refreshments to enjoy the film. Additional refreshments will be available for purchase on site. Live music will also be provided throughout the evening, courtesy of local musician Matt Foresman.

Financial support for the 2011 Russ Mawby Signature Service Project is provided by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, Consumers Energy, Meijer, and Heart of West Michigan United Way, with assistance from the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.

For more information, visit http://mi-ssp.com.