24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE BRONX TO BE SPRUCED UP ON 'New York Cares Day"

Here is positive news about an organization called New York Cares and their effort to help revitalize public schools in NYC. Please do review the press release sent. Information on how you can participate can be found below.

Gregory
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24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE BRONX TO BE SPRUCED UP ON
‘NEW YORK CARES DAY’

New York Cares to bring thousands of volunteers to give
Bronx schools a back-to-school makeover.

New York Cares will send 7,000 volunteers across the city to revitalize public schools on New York Cares Day, Saturday, October 15, 2011. Now in its 20th year, this citywide day of volunteering will revitalize 111 schools across the five boroughs. This year, volunteers will spruce up 24 schools in The Bronx including IS 229 in Morris Heights where New Yorkers will brighten up hallways with inspirational quotes, paint murals in the cafeteria and give the teachers' lounge a makeover.

“There’s still time for Bronx residents to grab a paint brush and join us for New York Cares Day,” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. “We’re proud that for 20 years, our volunteers have helped the city provide vibrant and inspiring learning environments for students in every borough.”

Also, at IS 229 the winner of New York Cares’ student mural contest will paint his original design. The theme of the mural contest -- open to all public high school students -- was “Students Give Back.” Another highlighted site is PS/MS 280 X Mosholu Parkway in Norwood where volunteers will create murals to encourage recycling.

On New York Cares Day, volunteers will paint classrooms and fences, re-organize libraries, plant flowers, fix-up playgrounds, and create colorful new murals.

New Yorkers (12 years old and up) can register to volunteer from now until October 14 at www.newyorkcaresday.org, with a registration fee of $20 per person. On Saturday, October 15, volunteers can come to the New York Cares office at 214 West 29th Street, Manhattan at 8:30am to register and participate. The website provides complete information about the event including details on making donations in honor of a team or volunteer. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

New York Cares Day is the city’s largest day of hands-on volunteering in the public schools. This annual day of service run is by New York Cares -- the city’s leading volunteer organization -- in partnership with the NYC Department of Education. Like a walk-a-thon, participants raise money in honor of the time they spent volunteering. Money raised goes to support the event and New York Cares’ year-round volunteer programs. Each year, New York Cares mobilizes 54,000 volunteers to help 400,000 New Yorkers in need.

New York Cares volunteers will also be working at other schools in the Bronx on October 15, including:

PS 92 X, Belmont
PS 50 X - Clara Barton, Claremont
PS 443 X - The Family School, Concourse
PS 9 X - Ryer Avenue Elementary School, Fordham
600 X - Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School, Melrose
PS 1X - Courtlandt School, Melrose
IS 117 X - Joseph H. Wade, Morris Heights
PS 463 X - Urban Scholars Community School, Morrisania
PS 146 X - Edward J. Collins School, Morrisania
PS 161 X - Ponce De Leon, North Side
308 X - Bronx Dance Academy, Norwood
PS 94 X - Kings College School, Norwood
PS 47 X - John Randolph, Parkchester
461 X - Metropolitan Lighthouse Charter School, Soundview
PS 107 X, Soundview
IS 123 X - James M. Kieran, Soundview
PS 130 X - Abram Stevens Hewitt, South Side
HS 477 X - Marble Hill High School for International Studies, Spuyten Duyvil
PS 33 X - The Timothy Dwight School, University Heights
PS 68 X, Wakefield
HS 305 X - Pablo Neruda Academy for Architecture and World Studies, Westchester Square
MS 289 X - Young Scholars Academy, Williamsbridge