Gary for Life Blight Buster Dayutilizes a variety of strategies that involve businesses, community groups, church leaders, residents, youth and volunteers in cleaning up blighted areas and improving community safety. Our strategies are associated with our Gary For Life principles as we work towards creating a clean and safe community throughout our city. The goal is developing projects that can be held simultaneously which are scalable depending on the number of volunteers, community needs and material resources available.
Overgrown trees, bushes and weeds has been a serious problem in our communities. However, the overgrowth that generates blight can provide hiding spots for guns, drugs, stolen goods, and victims of homicide. Blight can conceal corners and make visibility a problem for drivers. We can remove blighted areas by utilizing heavy equipment, saws, trimmers and volunteers willing to take on the challenge. Bags, gloves, and safety materials are provided by the City but its recommended that volunteers bring their own tools if available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
LASHAWN BROOKS
Director, Mayor's Office
Constituent Services
219-881-4815
mocs@ci.gary.in.us
1,000 VOLUNTEERS
BLIGHT BUSTER DAY...
"That's my legacy!"
October 3, 2015
7:00 AM RALLY - GENESIS CONVENTION CENTER
DISTRICT PROJECTS BEGIN: 8:00 AM
DISTRICT PROJECTS END: 4:00 PM
Lending a Hand is as Easy as 1, 2, 3:
1) Choose a project that interests you.
2) Download the City of Gary Volunteer Waiver Form.
Email completed form no later than September 28 to:
LaShawn Brooks
Director, Mayor's Office Constituent Services
mocs@ci.gary.in.us
Subject: Blight Buster Day
3) Register to reserve your spot.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
Crews will work together on the same block following a set route that helps ensures volunteers are fully utilized and the area is clean when done...goal accomplished. Volunteers are requested to bring brooms, rakes and shovels; Blight Buster Coordinators will provide safety materials, bags and gloves. Safety tips will be provided at registration.
Blight Clean Up
Individuals, Businesses, & Groups
Where: District 1 - 6
Supplies Needed: Please bring brooms, rakes, shovels, and trimmers.
City Provides: Bags, gloves and safety materials, project location.
This activity is great for youth and adults to get involved in. It is easily scalable and tools and supplies are available through the Blight Buster Team. Clean up can be combined with other alleys, streets, and vacant lot activities such as positioning of garbage cans/bags, raking of garbage, picking up of paper, bottles and cans, and piling of tires.
Grass Cutting & Trimming
Businesses Only
Where: District 1 - 6
Supplies Needed: Lawn mowers, trimmers
City Provides: Bags, gloves, safety materials, project location.
Abandoned House Board Up
Businesses with skilled laborers only
Where: One home in Districts 1 - 6
Equipment Needed: Forklifts, saws, heavy eequipment.
City Provides: Bags, gloves, safety materials, project location.