Hundreds expected for Costa Mesa cleanup

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- Hundreds of volunteers are expected to turn out for the

city’s Neighbors for Neighbors community cleanup today.

“I think it’s good to participate,” said Katie Erickson, a 14-year-old

Costa Mesa resident who plans to do some work this year. Erickson is the

daughter of former Mayor Joe Erickson and his wife, Alesia.

“It helps people in neighborhoods that need help,” she said. “I’ve

only done it twice and it’s fun. I painted a house once and planted

trees. I think it’s effective in getting neighborhoods cleaned up.”

The event includes two parts -- the neighborhood cleanup and the park

cleanup.

Volunteers who are already signed up will help low-income residents

beautify their homes and others will help clean Canyon Park and plant 500

one-gallon native shrubs.

Patricia Derby, a resident of one of five homes that will be included

in the neighborhood cleanup, said she is looking forward to the 19th

biannual event, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

“I thought it would be a good idea,” she said. “They are going to be

painting my house.”

Although the city has enough volunteers to get everything done,

Kimberly Thomas, management analyst for the city, said it could use more.

Volunteers can come to Canyon Park this morning to sign up, she said,

adding that early arrival is encouraged because of parking constraints.

“One of the main goals of this event is to instill the volunteer

spirit in our youth,” Thomas said. “Rarely do volunteer opportunities

allow both the elderly and the youth to participate. Usually it’s one or

the other. This way, parents or grandparents can go out with the youth

and help instill in them that volunteering is a positive and beneficial

activity.”

Council member Gary Monahan said he thinks the program is good for the

city.

“It brings the community together and gets some decent work done that

probably wouldn’t be done otherwise,” he said, adding that he would not

be able to participate this year because of scheduling conflicts.

Information: (714) 754-4870.