Kelly sends along this press release…

October 2011 – On Saturday, November 12^th, participants will return to Dearborn Park to root out invasive plants for the 4^th annual Park Renewal Day competition. Each year, this event has over 150 participants – all competing for prize money sponsored by Renewal Design-Build – clear more than an acre of English ivy and Chinese privet from the park. View video of past Park Renewal Day competitions here.

Teams will compete for the grand prize of $1,000, while second, third, and fourth place teams will take home $500, $300, and $200, respectively. Each team’s assigned plot will be scored by County Park experts. A live band, food, and the awarding of prizes follow the competition.

Any group willing to help the park and raise money is eligible and should register as soon as possible. Teams in past years have included school organizations, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and Scout troops. Last year, the Decatur High School Close Up Club and the Midway Woods Neighborhood Association tied for first place. Many winning teams have donated their prize money to other causes.

On the Decatur First United Methodist team last year, Geneiva Dyes and her two boys were shining examples of volunteer service and community pride. Last November, they were staying in a shelter while Geneiva looked for work. As second place winners, the Decatur First UMC team received a $300 check from sponsor Renewal Design-Build and gave the check to the Dyes family to help them during Geneiva’s job search. “We did not expect to walk away with anything more than mud on our shoes, but we are so grateful to our team and Decatur for this blessing,” beamed Geneiva. “We really appreciate the way Decatur has opened its doors for us and wanted to give something back.”

Read more about the Dyes family at Facebook.com/ParkRenewalDay. For more photos and registration information, visit ParkRenewalDay.com.