DETROIT – The 13th National Arab American Service Day is this weekend.
The event has brought more than 11,000 volunteers together for more than 40,000 hours of service to help improve communities.
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Locally, Metro Detroit Arab Americans will be tackling some projects in Southwest Detroit, helping to improve life for children in the area. Here's the info:
The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), an institution of ACCESS and a national consortium of independent Arab American community-based organizations, is hosting its annual National Arab American Service Day, with projects that include building a park, playground clean-ups, and planting community gardens.
Other partners include U of M Dearborn, District 6, DTE, The Home Depot and Bridgepointe. Over 400 volunteers will gather on May 13th to work on a variety of projects at these locations. The projects were identified by each of the schools, and will ultimately benefit 1,500+ students in the area.
The projects include alley clean-ups, grounds keeping, graffiti removal, playground improvements, development of a clothing closet, and interior painting and clean-ups. In addition, we are helping construct a new community park across from Neinas Elementary---Alayna Elabed's Brighter Neinas Community Park. The park will include a soccer field, nature path, and picnic tables.
Here's info/background on just one of the projects:
Rachid Elabed was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. Growing up, Rachid and his friends didn’t have a safe place to play outside.
Knowing the importance of play as a fundamental element in the formation of young people, Rachid is partnering with Neinas Elementary School and other community organizations to ensure that youth in Southwest Detroit have a safe, well-maintained, and fun place to play.
Want to participate? Here's what to know:
WHAT: National Arab American Service Day encourages Arab American communities to give back through service, fostering a culture of leadership, community engagement, and volunteerism.
WHO: Organized by NNAAC in collaboration with Neinas Elementary, Academy of the Americas and Covenant House Academy.
WHERE: Neinas Elementary School – 6021 McMillan St. Detroit, MI 48209
WHEN: Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHY: Service Day helps foster a culture of leadership and community engagement through service and volunteerism.