Volunteers show their civic pride at annual Love Costa Mesa Day
Sunday morning found the city of Costa Mesa’s cup running over, as hundreds of volunteers spent several hours the day before engaged in acts of service for the betterment of the city and its residents during Love Costa Mesa Day.
Sponsored by local nonprofit Trellis, the annual event allows people to list projects where an extra pair of hands may be needed. Volunteers sign up and show up, painting fences, weeding gardens, assembling care kits and performing other acts of service.
“The goal is to just encourage neighbors to get out here and love on everyone,” said Sharon Hurd, Trellis’ director of neighborhood networks. “Love Costa Mesa Day can even be considered a tool to get out there working together, building community but also making our city a better place to be.”
More than 300 volunteers turned out Saturday to contribute to nearly 30 low-touch, socially distanced or virtual projects. High schoolers joined with community members and city staff and officials at the intersection of Junipero and Arlington drives, near TeWinkle Park, to help paint art designs in the crosswalks while nearby, volunteers touched up an old mural at the city’s skate park.
Kelli Frager, who led the crosswalk painting project, said her group painted patterns designed by Costa Mesa High School student Esmeralda Andres, who drew inspiration from the natural beauty of TeWinkle Park.
“My favorite part was watching everyone take her idea and build on it,” Frager said Monday. “We had to support each other, strategize, problem solve and be creative together, which is what community is all about.”
Hurd said while the modified event, postponed from May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drew a smaller crowd, the positivity was at an all-time high.
“I think it offered hope to people and an excitement they haven’t been able to have in a while,” she said. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated in any way — it was amazing.”
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