Volunteers needed for Community Action Day events in Apache Junction

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

An Apache Junction nonprofit organization is seeking volunteers for its annual neighborhood cleanup and Community Action Day in January.

The event will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, at five to six locations, said Thomas Kelly, Apache Junction Community Development Corp.’s vice chairman.

“We are currently looking at three — possibly four — neighborhood locations, a street cleanup on Baseline between Ironwood and Tomahawk, and a rock-painting event at Flatiron Park. These are all tentative at this present time,” he said. “Each location will have different number of volunteers. Generally the street cleanup would be anywhere from 15 to 20-plus people. The neighborhood cleanups will vary.”

Volunteers can register at https://apachejunctioncdc.com/index.php/events for the neighborhood, street cleanup and rock-painting events.

Some volunteers are needed to monitor dumpsters at the neighborhood cleanups to collect bulky items and debris. They are to guide neighbors on what can and cannot be placed inside, ensure dumpsters are used safely and efficiently, and to maintain order so everyone has fair access, it states on the website.

Those interested in cleaning Baseline are to meet at 7:30 a.m. just east of Ironwood to get bags and other materials needed for the street cleanup. Volunteers need to bring their own gloves, it states on the website.

Picnic tables will become art stations where children and adults will paint small smooth rocks at Flatiron Park, 100 N. Apache Trail. Check the website for the time closer to the day.

The group used to hold its annual Make a Difference Day cleanup in October but temperatures were too warm at the last event held in 2024, Chair Gail Evans said.

“This year we decided to delay MADD until January, due to the heat last year,” she said.

The Apache Junction Community Development Corp. has a board of directors made up of Chair Evans, Vice-Chair Kelly, Treasurer Lee Cooper, Secretary Barbara Kelly, Directors Johnny Austin, Robin Barker and Bob Verstege, and Ex Officio — City Councilmember Peter Heck.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization collaborates with the city along with some participating businesses and corporations, Thomas Kelly said.

According to its website, an employee of the city of Apache Junction — Shawn Brown, code compliance manager — is the contact for the annual Make a Difference Day, now known as Community Action Day.

“The city of Apache Junction supports the Community Development Corp. because it helps the city achieve important community goals that go beyond what standard city departments handle,” Brown said.

“It is important to have the annual Make a Difference Day because the AJCDC collaboration focuses on neighborhood revitalization, beautification and support for vulnerable residents — such as seniors, disabled individuals and low-income homeowners — by providing cleanup and maintenance services that reduce blight and improve overall quality of life,” he said.

The AJCDC’s volunteer-driven model also allows the city to leverage community engagement and partnerships to enhance economic development and make Apache Junction more attractive to residents and businesses, Brown said.

“By supporting the CDC Make a Difference Day and the CDC, the city gains cleaner neighborhoods, increased civic pride and a stronger, more sustainable community,” he said.

Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines, https://www.yourvalley.net/civility-checklist/.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.