SUN VALLEY : School Cleanup Set for Saturday

The last time they tried, on March 11, a torrential downpour and hailstorm ensued and only a handful of people showed. They wound up clearing debris from drainage ditches and mopping up water in the auditorium.

Saturday, come rain or shine, volunteers organized by the Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce are determined to proceed with a landscaping, beautification and improvement project at Fernangeles Elementary School.

“We’re trying to help the schools in our area in whatever way we can,” said Doriane Lee Parker, chamber president. “Fernangeles needs a little work.”

Parker said local merchants and area residents responded in force when they heard the school needed to be fixed up. Merchants donated gallons of paint, rollers, buckets, tape, drop cloths, and landscaping supplies, or offered significant discounts on materials.

Other businesses supplied free food to volunteers. A promise of 34 sapling trees came from the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative’s Sun Valley project.

But in March, only two of the trees were planted, and just a few of the shabbier classrooms were painted. On Saturday, Parker hopes for a large turnout of volunteers so the work can be finished.

The improvement project will begin at 9 a.m. at the school, 12001 Art St.