Big Sunday

A few Sunday's ago a few of my friends and I got together to volunteer at what is known as La's biggest volunteer day, Big Sunday. Our project was to help clean up Breed Street. Breed street,next the historical Brooklyn ave is where the historical Shul stands tall. The shul was once an important part in uniting the jewish and latino cultures together. Later on that day while walking down breed st, we would find evidence of Breed street's once Jewish culture. Little mosaic street signs, and colorful sidewalk patterns that lay in front of shops gave us a tiny glimpse into the past. But although we discovered a history lesson, we were there to help clean up the street.
During the day there were many different things going on. There were tree give aways, street cleaning and sweeping, mural painting, planting flowers and plants, all mixed in with bringing people together and promoting the idea of community. Myself along with my friends started off my digging trash of all varieties, out of planters along the streets and replanting new plants. You can tell my the pictures, this gardening wasn't easy. And as we dug out paper, nails, cups, cigarette butts and more out of the planters, people stared. Baffled by what we were doing. I will never forget how one store owner came out, and said that by this time tomorrow the plants will be gone. As odd as that may sound, he explained his statement by saying that people don't want to see the change, that people didn't want to see the good. But this didn't discourage us as we went on to plant two more plants. As I was planting, the shop owners warning spun around in my head. And i thought to myself that he might of been right. But I think that it is good that people see change, or see the effort in change. Even though i knew there were many eyes watching us, there might have been that one person we inspired. And maybe they will bring change as well.
Our other activities during the day included helping to paint some murals and painting thanks you signs for our sponsors. The whole day was filled with good people, good vibes, and music from the djing playing a mixture of 90's and today's music, and the mariachi band at the end. And all in all the day has reminded me that it feels good giving back.