Greetings Neighbors,
It’s spring time and it’s time to begin our spring and
summer block activities. This was a
particularly cold and snowy winter and many of us have not seen each other
since last year. With warmer and longer
days, we’ll all be out and about more and will see each other soon.
You may know that there is new leadership on the 500 Block
Association and we are eager to meet and greet all our neighbors. We have been
privileged to have had the excellent leadership of Desiree Byrd for which we
are very grateful. Ms. Byrd led the block’s
beautification effort which gave us our beautiful planters, tree guards, and
several new tree plantings. Her
leadership has created the annual spring clean-up and plantings, “Spring
Fling,” wonderful block parties, annual school supplies’ distribution, stoop
sales, and many other initiatives that have made us a warmer, friendlier and
happier block.
It is our goal to continue and expand these efforts and to
identify new goals with increased block participation and community
outreach. Of course I must hear from all
our members, but my goals are for every household to be part of the block
association and that every block member is registered to vote. In any event, we need all block members’
participation to have the clean, safe and beautiful block we all want. I will be reaching out to all of you and
asking you to join us and asking you all to reach out to all our
neighbors.
We will work hard to improve communication. We will use email, Facebook, door postings,
and word of mouth to increase participation.
Block meetings will be monthly, alternating 2nd Saturdays and
Sundays.
In order to make things work better for the block, we need
members to be part of the working committees which are Beautification, Block
Party, Security, Youth Outreach/School Supplies Distribution, Fundraising and
Communication. Please consider
participating on a committee. This is
the only way to achieve a truly successful Block Association.
On a final and important note, the block activities are
funded by dues and fundraising. We have
been fortunate in the past to have received beautification grants but so far
this year we have been unsuccessful. However, if every block member paid dues,
we would not be dependent on outside grants.
Dues are $5 a month or a one-time $55 annual payment. Aware that this
may be a hardship for some members, any contribution would be greatly
appreciated.
I am looking forward to working with everyone and I thank
you for your participation and support
.
All the
Best,
John
McAllister
President
Next
Meeting: April 12, 10am @
553 Hancock Street
Block
Cleanup: May 1
Block Party: July 11