Here in Round Rock, our ability to come together in an effort to help others and enhance the community is something we take great pride in. The recent cleanup effort in the Greenslopes neighborhood is a great example of this sentiment in action.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, more than 30 volunteers came together, holiday cheer in tow, to make the season brighter for two local households in need.
The first home was owned by a retired Army veteran and needed fence repair.
With limited income, the home’s owner, Mr. Granado, could not afford the materials nor the labor necessary to complete the work himself. Volunteers raised funds to purchase the necessary lumber and supplies, utilized the City of Round Rock’s Tool Lending Center, built the fence, trimmed trees and mowed the resident’s yard.
The second home volunteers worked on was owned by Ms. Norma Blakely, 63, who lives with her 94-year-old mother.
Ms. Blakely needed help with tree trimming, bulk trash disposal and yard work. During a site visit prior to the cleanup, she asked if volunteers would be able to help install Christmas lights. Recently diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, which prevents her from climbing ladders, Ms. Blakely was the inspiration behind the City of Round Rock’s recent, Light Up the Holidays for Meals on Wheels Project, that involved the Round Rock Police Department and other local community members.
In addition to hanging holiday lights and putting together yard displays, volunteers also helped the family with a few smaller projects inside the home.
There they noticed a piano. Ms. Blakely mentioned that the piano hadn’t been played in years. One of the volunteers, a young lady who played piano, keyed up a few holiday songs and volunteers joined in on a sing-along to Christmas carols, which hadn’t been heard inside the home in many, many years.
“Watching this event unfold was incredibly touching,” said Joe Brehm, City Community Development Administrator. “Knowing the last few holidays haven’t been very festive for these residents made being able to brighten the season for them an even more rewarding experience for everyone involved. Events like this are a true testament to the helping spirit of this community.”
The cleanup effort was a complete success for everyone involved, and an absolutely fantastic example of the local residents and volunteers making use of the City of Round Rock’s Tool Lending Center and connections within the neighborhood, to find those in need and link them with those who love to serve. As a City, we are honored to be part of a community who helps take care of its neighbors.
