Service Clubs present "Spring into Service" event

Presque Isle and Mapleton - The Presque Isle Rotary Club, Mapleton Lions Club, and Presque Isle Kiwanis Club are joining forces to present "Spring into Service"—a community service event that includes tree planting, painting, and community clean-up work—on Saturday, May 14, from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. All community members are invited to take part in this event, which includes a free hot dog lunch at Noon at the Sargent Family Community Center and free tree sapling giveaways for kids.

In Mapleton, work gets underway at 9 a.m. at the Mapleton Recreation pool area. Anticipated work for the morning includes painting the pavilion and dugouts, cleaning the pool area, and cleaning up around the tennis courts.

 In Presque Isle, there will be a check-in starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Sargent Family Community Center; work gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Anticipated work for the morning includes tree planting and trail trimming at Mantle Lake Park, painting picnic tables and fence parts for new event fencing, and clean-up along Mary’s Mile and Kennedy Brook.

 “We’re very pleased to be presenting this service project for our communities and hoping to see lots of participation from community members,” Rick Fowler, President of the Mapleton Lions Club, said. “This event provides an excellent opportunity to get involved, especially for high schoolers and others who might have community service hours to fulfill. All volunteers are welcome!”

 Free water will be available for volunteers, courtesy of Coca Cola. Once event participants finish with work for the morning, all are encouraged to gather at Noon at the Sargent Family Community Center for a free hot dog lunch. Items are being donated by Graves Shop ‘N Save, Star City IGA, and Save A Lot. During lunch, State Forester Randy Lagasse will provide a short talk for kids about caring for trees. Kids will be given free tree saplings to take home, donated by Irving Woodlands.

 “We want to ensure there is an educational component to this event and think this would be a great way to connect the tree planting work we’re doing during the day with something special for local kids,” Cindy Boot, President of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, said. “We’re delighted that Randy Lagasse will be available to talk to kids about how they can care for trees and help protect our forests.”

 The three service clubs began working on the idea for this event last fall when club presidents met and decided to connect with the directors of the Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department and the Mapleton Recreation Department to see what service projects most needed to be done.

 “We learned about other community service events happening around the globe where multiple service clubs are partnering together to mobilize volunteers and making great things happen in their communities,” Rachel Rice, President of the Presque Isle Rotary Club, said. “With spring on the way, we feel a joint service project focused on cleaning up and beautifying our communities in Presque Isle and Mapleton is the perfect endeavor.”