A team of more than 400 volunteers helped transform Cleveland high school Martin Luther King Jr. Career Campus and give it a total makeover in just about 30 hours.
The large and diverse group repaired torn auditorium seats, damaged ceiling tiles, cracked windows and the walls a nice fresh coat of paint.
The project, called the Day of Service, was part of Ohio Homecoming, an event celebrating Cleveland’s birthday. Not only is it a celebration of the birth of the city, but it is also geared towards attracting visitors from out of town through a series of activities including concerts and sports events.
Alonzo Mitchell III, Ohio Homecoming manager, created the day of service after seeing the state of MLK when he stopped by earlier this year to vote.
“The water fountains didn’t even work,” he said.
In fact, the condition of the auditorium was so bad that graduation ceremonies had to be held at Cuyahoga Community College.
Dismayed by what he saw and eager to help out, Mitchell sought the help of two other Ohio Homecoming members, Tony Madalone, founder of the clothing company Fresh Brewed Tee’s, and Dar Caldwell, founder of Launch House, a company dedicated to helping new companies. Together they rounded up volunteers and sponsors by making phone calls, advertising on Facebook and through word of mouth. They were able to raise more than $30,000, which went towards purchasing paint, ceiling tiles, and materials needed to repair torn auditorium seats and other items.
The response from the community was overwhelming. Bedford Heights native and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans, Sherwin Williams, South End Hardware and Industrial Supply and Liberatore Landscaping were among the many supporters and sponsors. Chipotle Mexican Grill donated about 250 burritos. More than 1,000 bottles of water were donated. Volunteers were also treated to grilled hot dogs, pizza and donuts.
Volunteers who participated in the day of service will get a free ticket to other homecoming events including the “Bone and Drake by the Lake” concert featuring national recording artist Drake and Cleveland’s own Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and the Cleveland Indians game where Drake will toss out the first pitch today.
Richmond Heights resident Antoinette Cartman-Gay, a volunteer, said, “This will make a big difference for the community and the kids. This project will go down in history and I will be able to look back and say I was a part of it.”
