Hands On Topeka 2011
More than 700 volunteers registered to participate in the second Hands On Topeka park clean-up event May 1. Volunteers worked in 13 parks throughout the Topeka community.
This year, the volunteers did a variety of outdoor tasks, including litter removal, mulching, landscaping, painting and staining.
"Hands On Topeka moves us beyond the four walls of our churches to make a difference in the community," said Rev. Evelyn Fisher, Topeka District superintendent.
More than 100 feet of fence was stained, two buildings and several foul ball poles were painted, four signs were painted, thousands of tree limbs and twigs were collected, tons of leaves were raked away from fences and obstructions for mulching, signs were straightened, chain link fences were repaired and graffiti was removed.
"As a member of the First United Methodist Church in Topeka and as the director of the city of Topeka Parks and Recreation Department, I am both proud and appreciative of the Rethink Church, Hands On Topeka initiative of the Kansas East Conference," said Terry Bertels. "I'm proud of my church for stepping out one more time to be a presence in the community and appreciative to receive so much help from so many wonderful people."
Volunteers stand in line to check in for Hands On Topeka May 1 at Gage...
A volunteer checks in at Gage Park with the site coordinator.
Volunteers await their instructions at Gage Park.
Patrick Woods, Gage Park site coordinator, gives instructions for raking...
A TV news crew films as volunteers receive their instructions for Hands On...
Volunteers fan out in Gage Park. KMAJ radio station had a live remote in...
Rev. Evelyn Fisher, Topeka District superintendent, gives an interview in...
Volunteers rake leaves and pick up branches and twigs in Gage Park.
A thank you banner for the community partners gets hung in the portable...
Volunteers paint a fence in Gage Park.
Volunteers paint fence in Crestview Park.
Volunteers pull branches and twigs from the creek in Crestview Park.
One of the day's youngest volunteers gets ready to rake leaves in...
A volunteer re-stains the dock at the pond in Central Park.
Three youth prepare to pick up trash along the pond banks in Central Park.
Volunteers rake leaves in Central Park.
Volunteers repaint the sign in Felker Park.
A volunteer carries trash bags to the dumpster in Felker Park after...
A volunteer paints a foul ball pole on a ball diamond in Felker Park.
A billboard on I-70 advertises Hands on Topeka.
Volunteers from Pleasant Hill UMC take a break in Oakland Park.
A family from Pleasant Hill UMC joins other volunteers raking leaves in...
Red t-shirts and piles of leaves dot the meadow in Oakland Park.
Volunteers take a break after picking up trash in Oakland Park.
A volunteer rakes leaves so they can be mulched in Rice Park.
Volunteers paint the Disc Golf Course sign in Rice Park.
An old tire was among the trash collected in Rice Park.
Volunteers rake leaves in a low area of Hillcrest Park.
Volunteers spread out to clean up Hillcrest Park.
New Hope UMC won the trophy for the most participation in comparison to...
Volunteers gather in Gage Park for the Closing Celebration.
Damascus Road performs for the crowd at the closing celebration.
Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten thanks the volunteers for their work cleaning up...
A volunteer is interviewed about the experience after Hands On Topeka.
Volunteers wait for the closing celebration to start in Gage Park.
Volunteers gather as Damascus Road plays in Gage Park for the closing...
Damascus Road performs at the closing celebration.
Volunteers wait in line for the dinner catered by partner Texas Roadhouse.
