From Coach Vic

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC) partnered with the Mayor’s One Day of Service to improve a green space at Rainier Avenue South and Seward Park Drive. Cleaning up and beautifying the neighborhood is one of RBAC’s core services, aiming to make walking easier and more pleasant while enhancing the safety of our residents as they move through the area.

Early on Saturday, Coach Vic Roberson, Isaac Roberson, and Mr. Davis set up tents and tables to welcome more than 30 volunteers, who brought their energy and enthusiasm to the cleanup. Volunteers came from the general community, Seattle University’s Crime and Justice Research Center, Seattle Neighborhood Group, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle’s Human Services Department, and the Scholar Fund. Mr. Gregory Davis of RBAC greeted everyone and provided an overview of how teams of young people make a difference in the community.

Two key projects for the day included clearing the overgrowth of trees and bushes at the corner of Rainier Avenue South and Seward Park Drive South and painting over graffiti on a nearby business’s fence at 56th Avenue South and Rainier Avenue South. The vegetation removal was intense, as volunteers cut, trimmed, snipped, and removed 30 bags of overgrowth. Afterward, the green space was opened up, allowing passersby to easily see through the area, which improved public safety. The team of five volunteers on the graffiti removal project spent nearly two hours repainting the fence, making the space look clean and fresh.

Other Day of Service events included a group of volunteers picking up litter and trash from our streets and sidewalks. Additionally, in line with our environmental protection theme, a team of four volunteers stenciled storm drains with the message, “No dumping, drains to Puget Sound.”

After hours of hard work, the team rested and enjoyed amazing sandwiches from Umami Kushi (9099 Seward Park Avenue South, Unit 2, Seattle, WA 98118, www.umamikushi.com). The food there is simply delicious and delightful. Please take the time to check out how RBAC is making our community a safer, better place to live, work, and play. Contact us if you would like to volunteer for future projects by visiting www.rbcoalition.org.

Best regards,
Coach Vic

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