Having exceeded pre-registered volunteers from past years, more than 300 people fanned out across Riverbank on Saturday, April 26, undertaking all manner of repair, fix-up or clean-up projects. They were all part of the Love Riverbank community day of service.

The event kicked off at 8 a.m. at the Riverbank Community Center, where the volunteers signed in, enjoyed some music, then headed out to their projects throughout the City of Action.

These included family friendly work, with clean up all across the city and in some areas along the river, painting kindness rocks, planting trees and other activities such as yard work and minor home repairs for those in need. There was also a pet adoption event and a pet food donation drive.

There was a threat of rain, but it didn’t deter most projects, with the exception of one in Jacob Myers Park for cleaning work. That was vetoed by the Army Corps of Engineers, thinking the slope on the bank beside the river would be too slippery after some overnight precipitation.

After all that hard work, taking up all of Saturday morning, participants were invited back to the Community Center to celebrate with a pizza lunch, provided for the volunteers.

The Love Riverbank project was organized and carried out in conjunction with other similar events across Stanislaus County, including Love Modesto, Love Oakdale and the like.