Hundreds of volunteers truly make 'Menifee Better Together'

More than 700 people gathered at 7 a.m. to prepare for volunteer work in Menifee on Saturday.

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Ron Gary stood in the driveway of his Portsmouth Drive home and watched all the activity around him.

“It’s a godsend,” he said. “There’s no way I could do it. My health’s too bad. The young people, they just jump right in there and do it.”

Gary was one of many residents who benefitted from the volunteer efforts of more than 700 people who took part Saturday in the annual Menifee Better Together event. The community clean-up is organized by the Menifee Interfaith Council and is one of many such events coordinated by Habitat for Humanity throughout the region.

Throughout the Sun City community, volunteers did yard work outside the homes of seniors who asked for help through Habitat for Humanity of the City of Menifee. At Gary’s home, employees of the local Sturgeon Electric Company trimmed hedges, pulled weeds, cut down palm fronds and performed other tasks that improved the look of the property.

Paul Willenborg of Sturgeon Electric said this is an event his company employees have attended for several years.

“We’ve been doing this for about five years,” he said. “Our general superintendent is a Latter-Day Saint at the church where we all met today. He’s the one that recruits us.”

Volunteers, who registered in advance, met at 7 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – one of many churches involved in the project. From there, volunteers got their assignments.

Projects included yard work at seniors’ homes, including planting trees and flowers; youngsters being taught how to decorate and fill flower pots; volunteers accepting bulky items from residents in Quail Valley and stacking them in large bins; and volunteers painting rocks to refresh the Coronavirus and Memorial Peace Garden at Central Park.

Volunteers also included NJROTC cadets, local business owners and employees, Park Rangers, and firefighters who volunteered between calls. Other volunteers prepared and served a meal to workers when they returned to the church on Bradley Road.

Alma Atendido, a member of the LDS Church, said considers it her responsibility to help others.

“It’s an opportunity to serve,” she said. “I want to contribute to the community. That’s what the church teaches us. This is only once a year and I don’t want to miss it. It’s a good feeling to be able to do it.”

One of the leaders of the event is City Council member Lesa Sobek.

“The Menifee Better Together event shows we are more than a city; we are a community of wonderful people that truly cares about our neighbors, parks, planet, one another and community,” Sobek said. “This is what makes Menifee a special place to live. In a country that may seem to be sometime divisive, we in Menifee exhibit unity in who we are and what we do.

“The partnership between the City, Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity, faith based organizations and non-profit groups from around the city is very unique. Saying that, this wouldn’t happen without the selfless service of so many volunteers who could have done anything else on a Saturday morning, but instead chose to volunteer.

“There is not a better feeling than knowing you have made a difference in the life of someone else. This day was truly that kind of day -- a heartwarming experience for all.”

Photos provided by Lesa Sobek

 

Firefighters from Menifee station 7 helped out at this home in Sun City.

Volunteers work under a back yard palm tree, trimming palm fronds at a Sun City home.

Some volunteers cleared weeds and planted flowers at a local park.

 

City Council members Bob Karwin, Lesa Sobek, Dean Deines and Bill Zimmerman visit with a team leader.

 Council member Ricky Estrada worked in Quail Valley on a bulky item drop-off.

 Paul Willenborg trims a hedge over an archway at one of the homes on Saturday.

 

Volunteers interacted with homeowners as they helped beautify their yards.