Jamestown Hosting Annual Hands On Neighborhoods Event

The city is preparing to host the annual "Hands on Neighborhoods" community cleanup event in preparation for the summer months.

Crystal Surdyk, city director of development, shared details of the event with the City Council Housing Committee during Monday night's work session meetings.

This year's "Hands on Neighborhoods" community cleanup event will take place May 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Those interested in volunteering with the annual downtown cleanup are encouraged to meet at Tracy Plaza outside of City Hall.

Surdyk explained that residents are not required to register ahead of time to volunteer; however, she encouraged people to register early if they are interested in getting a "Hands on Neighborhoods" t-shirt.

The mission of the Hands on Neighborhoods movement is to, "Empower community members in building a sense of pride in place; to leverage resources and work together towards strengthening neighborhoods while building community both on the block and throughout the city."

Asked about the structure of this year's Hands on Neighborhoods kickoff event, Surdyk said the event will be organized similar to last year's event. The city will have focus areas that can be assigned to different volunteers.

"If you come and you don't know where you want to go and you want us to tell you, we will have maps and we'll kind of send you out with your group, but if you have a specific area, and I know a lot of people reach out to Dan Stone on an annual basis and ask to clean up the Riverwalk, you can contact him directly or when you register online, you can indicate where you would like to be," Surdyk said. "You can be in your own neighborhood in you want. You are welcome to come down, pick up bags, pick up the supplies, take them back to your neighborhood and you can do your own neighborhood if you would like to do that."

Asked by City Councilwoman Regina Brackman, D-Ward III, if other neighborhood cleanup events have been scheduled yet, Surdyk said that while other cleanup events have not yet been scheduled, additional Hands on Neighborhoods events will be scheduled following the annual kickoff event.

Hands on Neighborhoods organizes multiple local events to encourage city residents to "make connections and share resources." The Hands on Neighborhoods events also provide opportunities for residents to meet local leaders and learn more about city housing and resources.

To register as a volunteer for this year's "Hands on Neighborhoods" kickoff event or for more information about the event, the city is encouraging people to visit Jamestown's website (www.jamestownny.gov) or email the Department of Development (dod@jamestownny.gov).