Residents will be showing their love for their community on Oct. 18 during the annual Love the Rock community service day.  

Thousands of volunteers have turned out for past events, taking part in activities such park beautification, bulk trash collection and smoke alarm installation. During the 2016 event, volunteers removed 555 tons of garbage and 93 tons of brush. In 2018, more than 1,000 volunteers showed up, doing such work as painting 272 addresses on curbs and installing more than 200 smoke alarms.   

Churches of numerous denominations, neighborhood associations and local organizations come together to coordinate Love the Rock. This year, 30 churches will participate, with work scheduled to take part in Round Rock parks, neighborhoods, schools, the Round Rock Housing Authority, Texas Baptist Children’s Home and Round Rock Area Serving Center.  

This year’s acts of service include writing notes of appreciation to Round Rock Police, cutting hair for Texas Baptist Children’s Home residents, painting address numbers on curbs in neighborhoods, planting trees in parks and more.  

City of Round Rock crews will be among those assisting others, including firefighters conducting fire and life safety surveys in the Round Rock West neighborhood.  

“This event creates long lasting, positive changes,” said Fire Captain Darwin Shell, who noted the Fire Department has participated in Love the Rock for the past seven years. “It fosters pride and unity. Just as a whole, it’s neighbors helping neighbors.” 

Parks and Recreation and Community and Neighborhood Services have been regulars at each previous Love the Rock event. PARD employees will be planting trees and installing mulch at Lake Creek and Old Settlers parks this year.  

“[Love the Rock] provides community members with an opportunity to unite and serve together across the city,” said David Buzzell, Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “It brings people from across the city together for a common cause of serving others in the community.” 

Almost all volunteer slots are filled at this time; Love the Rock volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. Oct. 18 at First Baptist Church Round Rock (306 Round Rock Ave.).