Community participants volunteered their time and “sweat equity” at the Eliza Howell Park, located in northwest Detroit’s Brightmoor community. They continued AAA’s nearly century-long history of volunteering and giving back to the community as they worked on several community projects in the Brightmoor neighborhood.
As part of the annual Leadership Day of Service to the community, the AAA teams and volunteers spruced up the 250-acre park – painting, cleaning, weeding and trimming trees and bushes. They also helped prepare the nearby Community Garden and painted dozens of trail markers at the Artist Gallery. The project is part of the ongoing partnership between AAA and the Brightmoor community this year.
“It’s important for us to step out from behind our desks and remember to work as a team in our community,” said Steve Wagner, AAA Michigan president. “We’re proud of our history of volunteer service at AAA, and this is just one more way to demonstrate that commitment.”
Wagner noted AAA’s history of community service dates back to 1919, when AAA Michigan established the first School Safety Patrol.
The AAA employees were joined by members of the Brightmoor community, Friends of Eliza Howell Park, the Motor City Blight Busters and B & L Landscaping of Oak Park, who also donated their services.
“We’re very proud of our neighborhood,” said Richetta Akins, program director of Brightmoor Alliance. “This partnership offers all of us an opportunity to polish our beautiful park and our unique gardens and Artist Gallery. With today’s very limited budgets, volunteer teams can make a big difference in the look and feel of our local community.”
AAA Michigan has been working with residents and community leaders in the Brightmoor community on traffic safety concerns. The Skillman Foundation has made significant investment in the community as part of its Good Neighborhoods program.
AAA Michigan has been involved in driving safety since its founding nearly a century ago, with activities including teen driving safety and road safety improvement programs. The company offers travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan.