by Julio Guerrero
The Resurrection Project (TRP), 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis, and 15 other community organizations from in and around Chicago’s Pilsen community participated in Comcast Cares Day, the company’s signature day of service and the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort.
For the Pilsen project, some 500 volunteers from Comcast and the community came together on Saturday, April 27, to clean, paint, and garden Dvorak Park, Plaza Tenochtitlan, 16^th Street, and Throop Street Play Lot.
Stefan Holt, NBC 5 news anchor, emceed the opening remarks which included key leadership from Comcast, 25^th Ward Alderman Danny Solis, State Senator Tony Muñoz (1^st District), and Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia (7^th District). During these remarks, Comcast’s leadership presented Raul Raymundo, TRP Chief Executive Officer, a corporate grant that TRP will use to support the Pilsen Portal’s efforts to promote community news, events, and programs. Additionally, Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz read a proclamation from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn declaring April 27, 2013, Comcast Cares Day in the state.
The event would not have been possible without the support and leadership from area organizations and their volunteers. Key organizations participating included: Poder Learning Center, Gads Hill Center, Union League Boys and Girls Club, National Museum of Mexican Art, Greater Pilsen Economic Development Association, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, NBC 5, Telemundo Chicago, CLOCC, El Valor, Latinos Progressando, Instituto Del Progresso Latino, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, DALE, St. Pius V. Parish, Gary Comer Youth Center, and more.
In addition to the Pilsen project, thousands of local Comcast, NBC, and Telemundo employees and their families and friends participated in nearly 70 community volunteer projects throughout central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan. Nationally, more than 70,000 volunteers participated in more than 750 projects. Since Comcast Cares Day began 12 years ago, a half million employees and friends and family members have participated and completed more than 3 million volunteer hours.