DHS teacher Chris Billingsley writes in…

The Decatur High School Close Up Club will have a “Decatur Spring Clean” on Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 to 4:00.

This is a free service for Decatur homeowners but donations to help pay for a memorial wreath in honor of DHS grads killed in action while serving in the U.S. military will be accepted (donations in excess of the cost of the wreath will be used for miscellaneous expenses while in D.C.). A team of students and their adult supervisors will rake and bag leaves, spread mulch and pine straw, and do other kinds of yard work. Please contact Mr. Chris Billingsley, DHS teacher and Close Up sponsor (cbillingsley@csdecatur.net), for more information.

FYI- Because of the hard work of the Close Up students and their parents, and the generosity of many people from in and around the City of Decatur, all twenty-seven Close Up students will receive travel grants and a trip to Gettysburg, Williamsburg, or Mt. Vernon (at no cost to students and their parents). Any money raised from this final service project is just the icing on the cake for this year’s team. Thanks Decatur for all your help

From Renewal’s Kelly Cheek…

1st prize – tie between Ivy League [Midway Woods Neighborhood Association] and the Decatur High Close Up Club. They shared the grand prize of $1k and took home $500 each.

2nd prize – P.I.G.S(People in Gloves Pulling Ivy Gleefully) [Decatur First United Methodist]

3rd prize –  Beast of the Brush [Academe of the Oaks]

Judges included Mayor Floyd and former Hawks player and current sports analyst, Mike Glenn.

Thanks to Linda for reminding me about this!

A few more pics, courtesy of Lampe-Farley, after the jump!

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DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports…

The DHS Close Up Club and the DHS Cheerleaders had a very successful “Rake&Run” last Saturday. More than 30 students raked and bagged leaves and cleaned gutters around Decatur. The Close Up Club was working to raise money to pay for a day trip to the Gettysburg National Battlefield while on a week long trip to Washington, D.C in the spring. The Cheerleaders tried to raise funds for new uniforms and summer camps. Of course, the primary purpose was to promote “Service Over Self”. Together, both groups raised over $1,000 in donations. Wow!

A special thanks to the parent chaperons who not only provided transportation, but also joined in the work- Ms. Geri Miller, Ms. Wendy Gravley, Mr. Fred Menefee, Mr. Jeff Cook, Ms. Theresa Brown, and Mr. Leroy Leonard. Ms. Miller and Ms. Gravley also provided a delicious lunch for more than thirty-five hungry workers. Thanks Decatur!

An update from Chris Billingsley at DHS…

Just a quick note about the fund raisers this past weekend.  We brought a large crowd to the 5th Earls Market.  The owners were very pleased with the turnout.  Thanks to all for supporting this event.

Rake&Run was also very successful.  More than 20 students participated.  The kids did a great job.  The CU parents were unbelievable.  I was the only one who ran out of gas.  I had to go the the emergency room to get a shoulder transplant (I needed an entire body transplant, I was so sore!) but it was worth it.  We worked at 18 homes in Decatur.  We missed a few homes but we will try to finish all this coming Saturday.  Homeowners in Decatur were very generous.   We made over $1,100.00 in donations for rake&run.

Thanks Decatur homeowners, for helping our dream of attending the inaugural come true.  We reached our fund raising goal thanks to your generous support.

Looks like fun was had by all at the first annual Park Renewal Day at Dearborn Park this past Saturday!  (The event was put on by Renewal Construction, DeKalb County, and the city of Decatur)

Thanks to an army of volunteers, many areas of Dearborn once riddled with invasive plants are now clean and accessable.  See lots of pics of the event, including some impressive before and after ones, on Zenner Enterprise’s website. [h/t: The Decatur Minute]

Big prizes were awarded to groups based on the quality and quantity of their clean up work in designated areas.

• 1st Prize ($1000): Invasive and Persuasive
• 2nd Prize ($500): Ivy League
• 3rd Place ($350): Decatur Bulldog Boosters
• 4th Place ($250) : Kudzu Krunchers

In a follow up note, DHS teacher and Close Up Club advisor Chris Billingsley informs DM that even though Close Up didn’t win any money for their trip to D.C., they had a great time.  PLUS, the Decatur Bulldog Boosters, who won 3rd place, were so impressed with Close Up’s efforts that they donated their $350 winnings to the club’s trip!

So congrats to all the winners with a special nod to the Decatur Bulldog Boosters!

Generosity breeds generosity!