MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dozens spent their Saturday morning cleaning up blight in a small section of Frayser, hoping to make it a better place for people who live there.
Kim Davis joined parents and teachers from New Hope Christian Academy to pick up trash along University Street between Whitney and Frayser Boulevard.
“When people feel like they are living around trash and filth, it`s almost like hopeless,” said Davis.
The mom of two doesn`t live in Frayser, but her daughters go to school in the neighborhood.
“Anytime you can make a community look better, anytime you can the neighborhood better, cleaner, make it safer; I think everyone gets behind that,” said New Hope Christian Academy Head of School, Stephen Steiner.
Saturday, the school partnered with the city`s 25 square program and blight control. Both programs in Memphis target blight, hoping to make areas around town more beautiful and safer for families.
“When I jumped the hill and I saw everybody out here walking and I said wow!!!” exclaimed Londell Maclin.
Maclin`s lived in the area for nine years. He believes blight is a problem with all the vacant houses in this pocket of Frayser. But with the help, Maclin says he wants to get more involved in his community.
“This neighborhood it really needs the improvement,” said Maclin.
Helping to give hope and excitement to people she doesn’t even know, Davis says that’s a good lesson to learn beyond the walls of a classroom.
“This is a life lesson, you give and help others,” said Davis.
