Nearly 1,000 volunteers completed 60 projects during Love Lodi event

Wes Bowers, Lodi News-Sentinel, Calif.
·2 min read

May 1—Love Lodi organizers said Saturday's event boasted one of the largest volunteer turnouts in years, with about 1,000 people helping complete 60 projects throughout the city.

"Overall, it was a great day," co-organizer Timothy Stewart said. "We had about 540 people registered. But a lot didn't register, especially when it came to our community nonprofits. The Lodi Fire Department came out, all (15 of ) the nonprofits, and several schools showed up with students."

Stewart estimated everyone who attended this year's Love Lodi event made up some 3,500 volunteer hours for the 60 projects undertaken.

Highlights of the day included clearing 20,000 square feet of area around the World of Wonders of weeds; 80 volunteers cleaning Lodi High School and filling 25 bags of debris; and Tree Lodi planting a memorial tree at Katzakian Park.

The canned food drive at the community picnic following project completion collected 10,000 pounds, and Love Lodi's community service team fed people at the access center, as well as built a new bathroom at the Salvation Army.

In addition, 74 plants were installed at Lodi Middle School and more than 10 cubic yards of woodchips were laid to completely transform the campus courtyard, Stewart said, while some 80 volunteers from Jim Elliott School and Lawrence Elementary School worked to plant trees and lay new bark.

Stewart said "lots" of people have already signed up for Love Lodi's citywide backpack drive in the fall, as well as an Oct. 9 fundraiser at Klinkerbrick Winery.

"The more and more we build on this every year, the more we can do than just pull weeds," he said. "We can make a difference at our schools and for our nonprofits."

Traditionally held the last Saturday in April, next year's Love Lodi event will mark 10 years the community has come together to improve the city.

"We've picked up some steam our last few years," Stewart said. "By the time we get to next year, we'll be exceeding what we were doing before the pandemic."