Volunteers will set to work at 8 a.m. Saturday for Operation Fresh Start’s Clean-Up-Fix-Up campaign in the neighborhoods surrounding Hirschi High School.
A host of helping hands will come from Hirschi and Kirby Junior High students and staff, Wichita Falls churches and Texoma Community Credit Union.
Neighbors near the schools, including from East and West Lynwood areas, are also pitching in.
“We want this to be a positive experience for all of our volunteers,” the Rev. Angus Thompson, pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, said.
“We want a renewed relationship between neighbors, schools and churches,” Thompson said.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, volunteers working in the Hirschi and West Lynwood areas will assemble at New Jerusalem.
Also at 8 a.m, those working in East Lynwood will assemble at Shiloh Baptist Church.
The Texoma Community Credit Union will prepare and serve food for the volunteers at New Jerusalem from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The city of Wichita Falls will place dumpsters for yard waste at the east side of the east parking lot at Hirschi on Amber next to the New Jerusalem Annex and in East Lynwood Park near the service center.
The city has requested that no motor oil, hazardous materials, automobile tires of any kind, large pieces of furniture or construction material be placed in the dumpsters.
Church members from New Jerusalem, Shiloh, Legacy and Overcoming Word of Praise Center are among those volunteering Saturday.
The cleanup campaign is part of a community revitalization effort involving students, churches, businesses, area residents and the city.
Operation Fresh Start had a successful fundraiser on April 14 for Hirschi.
The goal was to raise $20,000 for the school’s weight room, also benefiting Kirby students.
“Financially, it exceeded our goals and expectations,” Thompson said.
Choirs from churches taking part in Operation Fresh Start warmed up a large audience with gospel music he said.
The Hirschi choir performance received a standing ovation.
“We are indebted to those who prayed for us and financially supported our efforts,” Thompson said.
“The students at Hirschi and Kirby will soon some new athletic equipment,” he added
The revitalization movement started when Hirschi coach David Cavitt turned to Thompson for ideas to raise money for weight room equipment.
Thompson agreed to organize fundraising if the students would – in turn – help spruce up the community around their schools.
Operation Fresh Start soon became a full-scale effort to improve the community surrounding Hirschi and form connections between school students and staff, local churches and neighbors.