HIS light energy local solar company owner Mark Harrell uses volleyball to give back to the local Menifee community

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Mark Harrell spends much of his days out in the sun, meeting with clients or up on their rooftops, installing quality solar equipment at bargain prices for his company, HIS light energy.

But that’s not all Harrell does for the community. Every Sunday and Wednesday, you can also find him outside on the sand and grass volleyball courts at Menifee’s Lazy Creek Park. In running a competitive volleyball program for local residents, he is helping to develop community unity and pride in a fun and healthy way.

Games are played at 5 p.m. at 26480 Lazy Creek Road in Menifee. Club players, high school players, college players and adult players with volleyball experience are invited to play. Competitive games are held at the C and B levels. It’s free to participate.

In addition, players are invited to form their own team and challenge teams of competitors. Games are normally played 4 on 4. Nets, boundary lines and volleyballs are provided.

Harrell asks that interested players call him at 951-746-9500 to let him know you’re coming. He does a head count by noon every Wednesday and Sunday.

It all started in May of 2020, when Harrell had just moved back to Menifee. The COVID-19 restrictions had just been changed and park activity was now allowed... He had settled near Lazy Creek Park, where 10 years prior he held practices as a coach for his daughter's team from Valley-Wide. Looking to get outside and exercise, he walked to the park and saw the volleyball court had no net, large holes, and tree debris. He knew it had not been used for years.

Using the “Field of Dreams “ motto, “If you build it, they will come”, he spent a day cleaning, raking, picking up, filling in holes and making the court usable. Many neighbors stopped by and asked what he was doing and he said, “Fixing the volleyball court up so we can use it.” He bought a nice net, court lines, a scoreboard, volleyballs, and so it began…

After it was cleaned up, he started posting on Facebook, reaching out to friends, family and others that free volleyball was going to be played every Wednesday and Sunday at the park, and it is a “mostly” sand court. Well, they came for friendly games, which soon turned into friendly competitive games and now are competitive games.

At the time, the volleyball clubs were closed, the high school and colleges were on Zoom meetings for school, and everyone needed to get out, adults included. There soon were 10 to 30 players participating. A local news media source picked up the story and wrote, “What a great idea, and so needed.” The rules were simple -- get outside, be positive, have a good attitude and come play volleyball.

Lots of coaches, club players, adults and young adults came to “get out of the rut.” Many players and parents reach out to Mark to say thank you. Everyone is having a great time and looks forward to the games twice a week.

The City of Menifee Community Services Department provides new sand when needed and a permanent net.

So call Mark Harrell today if you want information on the great solar prices of HIS light energy or to play volleyball – or both.





HIS light energy
Solar energy for residential, churches, non-profits, and commercial
951-746-9500
Hislightenergy.org