| | Published June 5th, 2013
| Moragans Work Together to Make a Difference
| | Submitted by Joanna Hill |  | | Before
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Several Moragans including children, teens, parents, a senior, teachers and staff took time away from their incredibly busy weekend May 18 to work together and beautify the Los Perales Elementary School campus as part of the "Los Perales School Beautification Day/ Stanford Alumni Global Day of Service Project." Volunteers transformed an overgrown area into a beautiful hill, with a new path to help ensure the safety of students and staff. The project was a goal envisioned by school secretary Chris O'Connell.
"Mrs. O'Connell goes above and beyond her overly full list of responsibilities to generate and implement ideas that improve the school and support the larger community," said project leader Joanna Hill. "If Chris wanted to tackle this hill/ path project, I would do my best to see it happen."
Participants including Elisabeth Ida, Palmer Hightower, Gavin Johnston and family, Cyril and Tom Russell, Will Wyckhouse and family, Liam and Sophie Johnson, Samantha Herzig and family, Charlie Hill and family, Logan Robeson and family, Liling Liao, Jacqueline, Samantha, and Minh Huebner, and Alyssa Craigie and family, not only transformed the hill by weeding, removing plants, trimming trees, spreading mulch and creating an exit path, but they moved beyond the designated project area to weed and beautify additional areas.
"Even parents who could not attend asked how they could help, and they provided outreach, tools, food and encouragement," Hill said. "Teacher Rebecca Walker participated in the weekend project during a busy time of year, and worked hard, despite recovering from an injury. Second grader Samantha Herzig, helped load wheelbarrows with mulch despite having a wrist cast. Her mother, Lisa Herzig, a teacher at Campolindo, reached out to the larger Moraga community."
Campo students Kate Ross, upcoming Leo Club president, and Tiffany Powell, upcoming vice president, and Bob Murtagh from the Moraga Lions Club contributed their time and muscle power. Elaine Guttman, a teacher at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School advised Hill and loaned the group gloves and Roman's Tree Service donated "multitudes of fresh mulch."
"The Los Perales PTA helped pay for other supplies and enjoyed working with Diamond K who delivered them," said Hill. Parker Colvin and LP Dad's Group brought tools; Hannah Pirone coordinated outreach and made signs; Sheila Castilla, Krista Knutsen, Gina Olson and Erika Roesch brought sandwiches, snacks, water, tools, and supplies; and PTA president Sara Mooradian helped with outreach, advisory role, PTA funds, and great work on the hill. "Each person who pitched in made a huge difference!"
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 | | After Photos provided
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA