On a sunny Thursday morning, members of an Alvin Elementary class walked by a group of more than 60 volunteers lined up against a wall.
“Thank you!” the students yelled at the top of their lungs.
The students were grateful for the extreme makeover their school was receiving from hands wielding paintbrushes on behalf of Give & Grow, a nonprofit established by C&D Zodiac, a company that manufactures aircraft interiors in Santa Maria.
Director of Business Development Elijah Dubrusin was at the event to rally the volunteers: employees and their family and friends of C&D Zodiac.
“The community gives to us,” Dubrusin said. “[Our] employees have kids here. We want to give back to the future.”
The murals were drawn the night before the April 28 mural painting extravaganza and focus on the theme of overcoming adversity.
“Alvin is looking toward to the future and choices,” Dubrusin said. “Think: What can you do to not get stuck?”
In addition to the freshly painted murals, Alvin was receiving a donation of new sports equipment, mostly soccer balls, which were on a school wish list; a new coat of paint on playground equipment; and improvements to the computer lab, cafeteria, and school library.
After its inception in 2007, Give & Grow kicked off its community efforts in the Orange County area. The group is making its Central Coast debut this year with the makeover at Alvin.
The nonprofit is planning to make the makeover an annual event.
This article appears in May 5-12, 2011.