With the close of another year, our organization would like to highlight some of the great activities from last year. Begun in 2015, Rockdale Earth Day has grown and evolved over the years into a community service organization that educates and serves throughout the year. This year was special, as it was our first since coming out of the COVID. Here are some highlights from 2023. Each highlight also serves as a thank you to the individuals, businesses and organizations which made it all possible,
• Junior High art students submitted 21 posters for consideration under the direction of Instructor Lani Young. Jadon Moody had the winning submission and received a gift certificate to Corona’s Mexican Restaurant.
• High School graphic art students submitted 35 designs for our t-shirt contest under the direction of Instructor Leslie Flores. Jaret Johnson had the winning submission which highlighted the interconnectedness of the world with the phrases: “One Planet,” “One Life,” “One People.” Jaret received a gift card from the East Bell Taphouse.
• In March, we re-joined the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce to support their good work, and as a thank you for their assistance in advertising our events throughout the year.
• Thanks to a generous and targeted donation from All Saints Episcopal Church in Cameron, several nature/ environmental books were donated to each of the RISD campuses, and to the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library.
• Volunteers created a wonderful Earth Day display at the Lucy Hill Patterson Memorial Library for the month of April. The display was a combination of art, history and helpful information about the environment.
• Hosted the First Friday Coffee on April 14. This served as an opportunity to share updates and happenings with all who attended.
• For the first time in our nine-year history, rain caused us to cancel our Day of Community Service which was scheduled for Friday, April 21. We re-scheduled for the following Monday, April 24, but wet weather caused RISD to withdraw from participation. However, a small group of volunteers gathered throughout the day to complete several projects:
• A flower bed was added to the entrance at the Rockdale Housing Authority.
• A flower bed was added at the Senior Center on Green Street. Prior to this, Councilman Scott Starnes led a group of volunteers in pruning several trees damaged during a winter ice storm.
• The Rockdale ISD Administration Building was power washed by Councilman Starnes with help from the family of Counc ilmember Esmera lda Ruelas-Olivares, and Councilman Kyle Walker.
• The City Hall building was also power washed by these same volunteers.
• Partnered with the City of Rockdale to promote Stash Your Trash and Bulk Trash Days throughout the year.
• This was our fourth year of awarding Yard of the Month for the six-month period of April through September. Each year we have done a 50/50 partnership with Bloomers Garden Center in Elgin, to provide a gift certificate to the winning households.
• Texas Arbor Day was celebrated on Friday, November 3rd. We added a tree to the Rockdale ISD Administration Building, added three trees to Sumuel Park and replaced two trees in the 600 block of West Bell.
• Throughout the year, several volunteers assisted in caring for trees which have been planted by our organizat ion in recent years. Approximately 40 trees were pruned and fertilized as needed throughout the year. Watering took place regularly throughout the summer months. We are especially grateful to Lin Perry and the great folks at Perry & Perry Builders who provided a truck and watering tank to do this work.
• On Thursday evening, Sept. 21, we hosted a community event at Wolf Park to celebrate the International Day of Peace. Over 120 people attended our “Night of Peace” service which included music, readings, prayers, and a Peace homily delivered by Rev. Janice Krause of Manor, TX. At this event, we unveiled over 20 Peace Poles which we subsequently installed at businesses, organizations, parks, and residences around town. Subsequent feedback was so positive that we are planning our Second Annual Night of Peace, on Saturday evening, Sept. 21, 2024.
• In December, we placed a holiday ad in the Rockdale Reporter with pictures of several Peace Poles, along with the Prayer for Peace.
• Throughout the year, we maintained a Facebook page, “Rockdale Ear th Day,” to educate, as well as promote our community, and the efforts we take to improve our town.
• There are many anonymous individuals who contribute in a variety of ways throughout the year to support our work, and to make our community a better and more attractive place to live and do business. Thank you!
• Rita Gameiro joined the Advisory Committee for Rockdale Earth Day in June. She will work with an exploratory committee to consider sponsoring the first-ever Rockdale Earth Day Tour of Home Gardens in 2024. This will be an opportunity to showcase beautiful yards to our community and to any visitors who might participate. Details will be coming in the months ahead.
Everything that we do as an organization is made possible through the generosity of many individuals, businesses, organizations and the City of Rockdale. We are especially grateful for the work of City Manager, Barbara Holly, the Public Works staff, RISD Administration, staff and students and The Rockdale Reporter. On behalf of our 2023 committee members, Dell Perry-Giles, Monique Gebhart, Tatiana Olivares, Kyle Cooke, and Rey Mata, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely, Rey Mata, Secretary Make God’s Good World Better!
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