Jerry Dyer’s Beautify Fresno initiative kicks off with cleanups on MLK Day
Fresno Bee Staff
Beautify Fresno, formerly known as Keep Fresno Beautiful, hosted two cleanup events to launch Mayor Jerry Dyer’s new initiative and to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Dyer joined the event in and around Mariposa Plaza co-sponsored by the Downtown Fresno Partnership and Clean Fresno.
“We’re going to restore curb appeal” in the city, Dyer told the crowd downtown before they started the cleanup.
Another event focused on the Lowell neighborhood (East Belmont Avenue and North Park Avenue), co-sponsored by Every Neighborhood Partnership, the Lowell Community Development Corporation and Lowell residents. Volunteers there focused on cleaning Belmont Avenue, between Van Ness and Glenn avenues plus the Lowell Community Garden and San Pablo Park.
Dyer estimated more than 200 volunteers worked at the two events.
“The National Day of Service is observed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King,” a Beautify Fresno statement reads. “Residents are encouraged to use the holiday as ‘a day on, not a day off’ and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better.”
Beautify Fresno leaders said they will follow guidance from national Keep America Beautiful advisers and public health safety protocols.
For more on the initiative and a schedule of future events, go to beautifyfresno.org.
Mayor Jerry Dyer gives opening remarks at Mariposa Plaza in downtown Fresno before the start of two cleanup events as a part of his new initiative, Beautify Fresno, to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. About 200 volunteers signed up for the event to pick up trash in the Fulton District and the Lowell District to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day residents are encouraged to use the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Rochelle Butler of Fresno helps pick up trash on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno during one of two cleanup events as a part of Mayor Jerry Dyer’s new initiative, Beautify Fresno, to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. About 200 volunteers signed up for the event to pick up trash in the Fulton District and the Lowell District to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day residents are encouraged to use the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Volunteers gather and sign in at Mariposa Plaza before the start of two cleanup events as a part of Mayor Jerry Dyer’s new initiative, Beautify Fresno, to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. About 200 volunteers signed up for the event to pick up trash in the Fulton District and the Lowell District to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day residents are encouraged to use the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Volunteers help pick up trash on Fresno Street at Fulton Street in downtown Fresno during one of two cleanup events as a part of Mayor Jerry Dyer’s new initiative, Beautify Fresno, to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. About 200 volunteers signed up for the event to pick up trash in the Fulton District and the Lowell District to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day residents are encouraged to use the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Rochelle Butler and her stepson Micah Butler, 15, both of Fresno help pick up trash on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno during one of two cleanup events as a part of Mayor Jerry Dyer’s new initiative, Beautify Fresno, to celebrate the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. About 200 volunteers signed up for the event to pick up trash in the Fulton District and the Lowell District to honor the legacy of the late Reverend King. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day residents are encouraged to use the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” and look for ways to volunteer to make their communities better. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published January 18, 2021 at 11:38 AM.
Craig Kohlruss is a photographer, videographer and drone pilot for The Fresno Bee. He has been a part of The Bee’s visual team since 1999. His work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the California Press Photographers Association and other journalism organizations. Support my work with a digital subscription
