Working to improve Rathdrum
Rathdrum is going to be buzzing with community helpers Saturday morning - and you're invited to the party.
Going off a list of needs supplied by the city of Rathdrum, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is rallying with other faith groups, civic organizations and others to support projects that will benefit the entire community.
Volunteers will assist with the bathrooms and concession stand at Majestic Park, paint a fence along Boekel Road and the Masonic Temple, plant trees and give new life to the bleachers at Lakeland Junior High to name just a few projects.
"It will save the city and the community a lot of money," Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes said. "We're excited about it."
Holmes said impact fees were designed to assist with parks projects, but not pay for them in full. He said Saturday's effort - which starts at 8 a.m. at Majestic Park and ends with a noon barbecue and other activities for all volunteers at the park - will complement the fees, grants and city funds funneled together to pay for parks and other improvements.
Established in 2009 as the National Day of Service and Remembrance, the annual event encourages residents across the nation to participate in community service projects as a way to honor victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"Rather than just have the Day of Service be a church project where we descend upon Rathdrum for a day and then leave, we met with Mayor Holmes and (Parks and Recreation Director) Lance Bridges and obtained their vision of how we could involve the whole community in taking care of their pet peeves, eyesores and more," said Richard Dance, public affairs director with the Hayden Lake Idaho Stake of the LDS.
"We are organizing it and providing additional manpower for the city, but trying to involve everyone. We believe Rathdrum is being governed well and wanted to help a community take pride in their city, even though their budget funds are scarce."
Dance said several corporate sponsors are funding the volunteer T-shirts and barbecue.
"We hope to save the city tens of thousands of dollars with the labor ... and assist with its hopes and dreams," Dance said.
How to pitch in
Those interested in lending a hand with the community work day in Rathdrum on Saturday should report at 8 a.m. to Majestic Park off Meyer Road between Boekel and Lancaster, near the water tower. Volunteers can bring paint brushes, rollers, weed trimmers, shovels, rakes and gloves. There will be free T-shirts for the first 300 people. There will also be a barbecue and activities at the park afterward at noon for all volunteers. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the picnic. For more information, call Jeff Crandall at 661-1569.