Dear editor, Rockdale friends and neighbors, Friday, April 22 was a great day in our community calendar. Approximately 110 of our citizens gathered for our Day of Community Service. This annual event is hosted by Rockdale Earth Day, coordinating with the Rockdale ISD, the City of Rockdale and several key organizations and individuals. At separate events, students and staff from Rockdale Elementary School participated in projects at Veterans Memorial Park, while the Intermediate School focused on tasks at their campus.
Miles of roadway litter were picked-up, fresh paint jobs were done on railings and benches in the downtown area as well as at the Patterson Center. Approximately 30 trees were re-mulched at various sites around town. And, a magnificent re-set and refresher of the landscaping at the Rockdale ISD Administration Building was completed.
This building is an important venue for our community. New teachers and staff, as well as new families coming to the district, will come to this building to be introduced and welcomed to our school system. We know it is important to make a positive first impression!
If the signs entering into our town are still accurate, we have a population of about 5,500 people. Therefore, 110 volunteers represent approximately 2% of our citizenry. Of those 110 volunteers, about 75% were Junior High and Senior High students. Imagine with me, the possibilities of what could be accomplished in our fair town, if we could put away the streams of negative and unfair commentary, and choose a more kind and positive approach; if adults would share the same passion and civic-mindedness of our students. So much was accomplished in a brief three hours. Our community has answers and solutions within, to many of our challenges.
I am forever grateful for our Earth Day committee members: Dr. Lucile Estell, Monique Gebhart, Dell Perry-Giles, Kyle Cooke and Rey Mata-Melton. On their behalf, my heartfelt gratitude for Principal Hasselbach, our school administrators and teachers, our students, our bus drivers who made the logistics seem easy, the Rockdale Rotary Club, Judge Steve Young, Lin Perry and Perry & Perry Builders, Esmeralda Ruelas-Olivares, community members, financial donors, giftin-kind donors, city government, public works personnel, the MDD, Rockdale Walmart, Carolina Ruelas with Surprise Signs, the Chamber of Commerce, The Rockdale Reporter and more than a few anonymous supporters whose work and wisdom were invaluable.
Very special thanks to Mr. Mark Hull who generously donated a number of beautiful, large rocks which were incorporated into the landscape at the ISD Administration Building.
Many of us want a prettier and more attractive town. For each of us, let that work begin in our hearts and be expressed in our words and actions. Nothing better for a visitor to town to encounter than a friendly, affirming and kind citizen, who welcomes him or her to the good city of Rockdale, Texas!
To become a member of Rockdale Earth Day email rockdaleearthday@yahoo.com.
Earth Day is just one day in the calendar year. May last Friday serve as one paradigm of the good that can continue within Rockdale as we work together in a climate of respect and kindness.
Make God’s Good World Better,
Dave Mata-Melton
Chairperson for Rockdale Earth Day
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