Thirty members of the Dublin community gathered at 354 W. Blackjack Saturday, Sept. 23 for the first volunteer project of Revitalize Dublin, an organization striving for beautifying Dublin and consistent code enforcement within the city limits. The group challenges everyone to ‘be the change they want to see’ in the community.
“I love this community and the volunteers who came out today for our first project,” said co-founder Lori Beggs following a morning full of clearing and hauling off brush from an overgrown home who had been cited several times for code violations. “What a difference three hours makes!”
Co-founder Carmen Andersen shared the sentiment while working alongside the volunteers Saturday morning. “ I could cry looking at that back yard,” she said, motioning to a yard which was quickly being cleared of years’ worth of neglect. “It’s just so awesome seeing all these people volunteer their morning and help make this change.”
Fellow Revitalize Dublin founder also expressed his appreciation. “It was great to see all the excitement/ enthusiasm out there Saturday and the verbal support afterwards,“ McNeal said. “Facebook blew up afterwards— not one negative comment, all uplifting and supportive.”
All three organizers expressed their appreciation to the volunteers who gathered to help including Dublin Boy Scouts Troop 30, DHS National Honor Society members, Gladys and Kevin Crouch (who provided trash bags and buckets), City Council member Sammy Moore (who helped with chainsaw duties), Curtis Lewis (who used a boom lift to reach tall limbs), Riley Jo Dunlap (who provided extra refreshments), Zeke Rocha (who mowed beforehand), Angie and Allen Manning (who provided landscaping tools), Dublin PD’s Nanci Wilson (who helped onsite and with traffic) and Mi Cocina (who delivered breakfast tacos during the work).
Beggs also thanked McNeal for his duties, hauling 10 trailers of vegetation to his property outside the city limits.
“So many more people to thank for their contribution to the success of the project,” said Beggs. “I look forward to working with y’all again and meeting more members of the community who are willing to spare a few hours on Saturday morning to improve our community.”
To sign up as a volunteer or to learn about the group and future projects, visit revitalizedublin.com or follow ‘Revitalize Dublin TX’ on Facebook.