The Stand
Are you ready to work up a sweat for your neighborhood?
Local nonprofit housing and community development agency Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) is hoping people are looking for an opportunity to work up a sweat by volunteering for its annual Neighborhood Block Blitz set to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, this year both on the city’s South and Near West sides.
The day-long event welcomes hundreds of volunteers, skilled workers and contractors to help improve the homes on six city blocks by painting, landscaping, fixing porches and more.
Almost all of the material and work for the home improvements are donated so there is no cost to the property owner.
Funding raised for the Block Blitz also goes to support Home HeadQuarters programs and services such as Foreclosure Prevention, Homebuyer Education, Construction Apprentice Training and Financial Counseling.
Targeted for the volunteer home improvement event are two to three blocks on Landon Avenue on the city’s South Side and at the intersection of Otisco and Ontario streets on the Near West Side.
So far, planned improvements include new porches, the addition of two rain gardens, foundation painting, step replacement, rain barrels and fence removal and replacement. Donations of materials or time have come in from as far as Maryland and also include support from Syracuse Center of Excellence, the Near Westside Initiative, Murtaugh Restoration, Onondaga Environmental Institute, 84 Lumber, Lowes, the Gifford Foundation and NeighborWorks America.
And we need your help! If you can come by the event for even an hour to lend a hand, your work will make a difference. You could plant, pick up garbage, paint a porch or even just provide an encouraging word to others.
Home HeadQuarters is also seeking donations of plants, tools, skilled services such as carpentry, masonry, roofing and other items like refreshments for volunteers including water, food and snacks. If you think you would like to help, please contact Karen or Ali by calling 474-1939 ext. 249 or e-mailing info@homehq.org.
— Information provided by Home HeadQuarters
