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400 volunteers clean up Detroit's Clark Park to help make city healthier

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2014

DETROIT, Mich. -- The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a project of ACCESS, in partnership with the Clark Park Coalition, Healthy Detroit and Wayne State AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project, on Saturday led over 400 Detroit-area residents in volunteer service activities at southwest Detroit’s Clark Park for the 10th Annual National Arab American Service Day.

They joined over 2,000 volunteers across the country on this national annual event, where the local impact saw the beautification of existing athletic fields, paths and park facilities, and the creation of a safe zone through the boarding up of six abandoned homes in the neighborhood. Detroit Deputy Mayor Ike McKinnon stopped by and was truly impressed by the effort of the youth volunteers.

This year’s National Arab American Service Day featured 20 projects across 10 states plus Washington, D.C. Service efforts included cleaning up parks and schoolyards, planting trees and flowers, painting murals and renovating homes and buildings. While each city organizes a unique project and local partnerships, they all share one common goal: responding creatively to community needs.

Check out some of the highlights from around the country for Arab American Service Day.