(Press Release)

Waco, TX—Armed with tree saws and paint brushes, dozens of local residents will beautify the University neighborhood Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with a week-long celebration of neighborhood revitalization activities nationally recognized as National NeighborWorks® Week.

“Community improvement activities are a vital piece of neighborhood revitalization,” said Roy Nash, Executive Director of NeighborWorks® Waco. “The appearance of a neighborhood helps to attract new homeowners and allows existing residents to see that progress is taking place in their community. Our volunteers realize this importance and will donate their time to making valuable contributions to the homes in the University neighborhood.”

Building on a successful collaboration from last year’s event, players from the Baylor Football Team will tackle a house-painting project at 2408 Connor Street. Mayor DuPuy and members of Waco City Council will be on-hand at the noon-time celebration to congratulate the volunteers on their hard work.

As part of the National NeighborWorks® Week core of local activities, University High School Art Club students have also been working hard all semester on a new outdoor Wall Mural Project that depicts the spectrum of education from pre-school through high-school graduation.

An unveiling ceremony with be held Monday, June 16 at 2:00 PM to the public to display the students’ achievement.

During National NeighborWorks® Week, NeighborWorks® Waco and other NeighborWorks® organizations across the country will mobilize tens of thousands of business people, residents and government officials in a week of neighborhood change and awareness. They will rehab and repair homes, paint and landscape properties, conduct neighborhood tours, recognize successful partnerships and host a number of events that educate, train and inform. In 2007, more than 7,000 families benefited from the week’s activities nationwide.