Communities In Schools (CIS) AmeriCorps members celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service with a school beautification project at Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Over 50 volunteers from local businesses and the community joined CIS AmeriCorps members from Dodge, Glascock, Clarke and Baldwin counties to complete several projects including planting, raking and trimming shrubs, trash pick-up, installing basketball goals and painting the boys and girls restrooms. The project will benefit the school that serves over 600 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the Baldwin County Public Schools District.
Volunteers from Georgia Power and Georgia College and State University students also participated in the completion of the beautification project. Local businesses provided tools and paint supplies, as well as drinks and snacks for volunteers throughout the day.
The CIS AmeriCorps reading program supports the CIS mission through its early intervention strategy to help students become better readers and advance to the next grade level. The program has a ten year history of success through a grant funded by The Corporation for National and Community Service and administered by the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism. Corps members participate in statewide initiatives like MLK Day of Service as anopportunity to spread an ethic of service and civic engagement in their communities.