Zodiac Aerospace’s army of volunteers took over Mary Buren Elementary School in Guadalupe on May 15 to spruce things up a bit for the annual Give and Grow Beautification Day.
More than 100 volunteers installed a donated jungle gym, painted maps of the world and the United States on the pavement, landscaped and cleaned the garden, and created murals that included the school mascot, a bobcat.
Employees from Zodiac started the Give and Grow nonprofit in 2007 and have completed similar projects at other local schools. Last year, Zodiac employees worked at Miller Elementary School. The company pays employee-volunteers regular wages for their day’s work, and several businesses and other individuals donate to the cause, according to a press release.
Mary Buren Principal Jesely Alvarez said in the press release that the idea of community service is a contagious one.
“I absolutely love that students will get to experience first hand what giving back to the community looks like and means through the actions of Zodiac and the Give and Grow team,” Alvarez said. “What they are giving to our school community is priceless.”
Guadalupe Union School District Superintendent Ed Cora, who applied to the nonprofit for the project, said the school board, staff, parents, students, and community are thankful for the work done at the school.
“All of us truly appreciate the planning commitment, and donation of materials,” Cora said in the press release. “Our students will ultimately benefit from Zodiac’s work, which will enhance and beautify our campus at Mary Buren Elementary School.”
This article appears in May 22-29, 2014.