For the past 4 months a coalition of local civic and community based organizations in Laurelton have been working to keep the community clean. Every 1st Saturday of the month since May of 2017 residents and local organizations have come together to clean up Merrick Boulevard. Laurelton Operation Clean Up attracts 30-50 volunteers every time the group meets. The camaraderie with the project has been inspiring leading Laurelton Operation Clean-Up and DIVAS for Social Justice to be awarded an opportunity through Habitat for Humanity’s Brush With Kindness program to support the beautification of Laurelton. Habitat for Humanity’s Brush With Kindness program involves painting, planting, “fix up” and general improvement of public spaces in the five boroughs that lack funds for refurbishing community spaces.
The coalition of organizations proposed the design of a new mural at 225th and 145th Rd at the Laurelton LIRR station. The mural will reflect an abstract design of the Tudor homes in Laurelton. In addition, the design will feature elders of the community in silhouette form who have been serving the community for over 20 years. Brush With Kindness will also be providing landscaping around the existing murals as well by the Laurelton LIRR station.
Brush With Kindness will work with the Laurelton community beginning September 6th– 14th. September 9th will be Laurelton Operation Clean Up’s final project for the season and they will host a volunteer appreciation event from 12-3 PM at Laurelton library in partnership with Queens Library, Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, & Council Member Donovan Richards. All are welcome to attend and can rsvp at: laureltonoperationcleanup@gmail.com
