The White Center community is gearing up for its annual "spring clean" event. This event will make White Center a better place to live, work, and play by promoting community building and neighborhood revitalization, according to the organizers, the White Center Community Development Association.

“This is our sixth year, and we are always excited to make it the best one,” said Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association.

King County Community Service Officer, Vary Jackson, notes, “Right around May, I am full of energy and enthusiasm, looking to help plan, coordinate and participate in this wonderful community event ever since it was first sponsored by the White Center Community Development Association. From a law enforcement perspective, I am a firm believer that a clean community is a sign of a clean, safe and strong community, thanks to my late partner, Deputy Steve Cox of the White Center King County Sheriff’s Storefront, who came up with the idea of assisting about ten residents in the White Center neighborhood to remove trash and debris for senior citizens and families with financial hardships who were unable to do so themselves.”

To sign up as a volunteer, contact Soona Vili at the WCCDA at (206) 694-1082 or info@wccda.org and fill out the registration form.

Registered volunteers will receive a complimentary T-shirt, continental breakfast, refreshments and lunch.

Last year, more than 250 community members mobilized at many different project sites including the community gardens at Greenbridge, downtown White Center, Hicks Lake at Lakewood Park, Holy Family Church, North Shorewood Park, St. James Place, White Center Food Bank, White Center Heights Park and several residential blocks.

“Through continued community support, this year we expect a similar level of community participation to work on projects in White Center parks and open spaces, residential areas and downtown streets, sidewalks, and alleys,” said Balahadia.

This annual event brings together youth and elders from diverse backgrounds and includes residents, business owners, property owners and interested folks from all over the area. It is a day to celebrate, build community, spruce up a public streetscape and have fun.