Diane A. Rhodes - Special to The Press-Enterprise
Wiggs Mendoza, left, president of the Green Coalition of San Jacinto Valley, gets help disposing of leaves from Girl Scout Kaylynne Neinase, 9, during a Neighborhood Pride Program cleanup Saturday in Hemet.
DIANE A. RHODES - Special to The Press-Enterprise Published: 28 July 2011 11:42 AM
The Neighborhood Pride Program was launched Saturday as members of the Green Coalition of San Jacinto Valley and local Girl Scouts teamed up to clean a few blocks near downtown Hemet.
The plan to "clean up one neighborhood at a time" started on State Street as about 30 volunteers weeded, swept, and picked up trash between Florida and Acacia avenues from 7 to 10 a.m.
"This is one of our gateways, and our goal is to make sure people who drive through here don't have a bad impression of Hemet," said Green Coalition President Wiggs Mendoza. "Part of our mission is to create a sustainable community. We are trying to motivate youth and individual citizens to come out and help make it clean, green and safe."
The cleanup program aims to encourage valley residents to keep their properties and neighborhoods free from trash, junk and rubbish accumulation. Mendoza said it also will give youths an opportunity to get involved with community service projects in their own backyards.
Stacy Okel is the head troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 1221, whose members are from Hemet and San Jacinto. Members are working on their community service badges and already have helped out with various projects at the San Jacinto Valley Academy. "We are trying to give the girls more opportunities to help locally," said Okel, who has been involved with Scouts for six years. "These are our future leaders." The troop has about 20 members ranging in age from 5 to 14. Some brought siblings to clean up the designated areas.
"My sister is a Girl Scout," said James Okel, 10. "I'm just volunteering." Five Green Coalition members were assigned as block captains to keep a steady supply of materials available and to be sure safety measures were being maintained. No one from the city of Hemet responded to requests for extra trash bins and tools by Saturday, Mendoza said, so the workers didn't have enough. But he said he expects to have a successful partnership with the city for future projects.
"What we did not run out of, however, is help from the community," he said. "Residents came out and allowed us to use their trash bins."
Victor Maidah, who owns Mega Liquor on State Street, gave up his morning to help. "I'm a fanatic about cleaning and planting trees," said Maidah, of Arcadia. "This is a big deal. It's about changing the momentum of nature. This (cleanup) is temporary but eventually, if we can plant trees that last, it will change the whole environment." Mackenzie Vance's mother is a leader of Troop 311.
"I'm just helping out this troop because I'm used to helping my dad in our back yard," said Mackenzie, 11, as she used a shovel to dig out some deep-rooted weeds.
Lianne Neinase has three daughters in Girl Scouts: Kaylynne, 9, Julia, 7, and Brook, 5. "Scouting is by far our most favorite activity. It has lots of variety and rewards," said Neinase, of San Jacinto. "Things like this help them realize that hard work has its rewards."
Information: 951-929-0854 or www.greencoalition-sjv.org Diane A. Rhodes is a Press-Enterprise correspondent. Reach her at 951-763-3461 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
