A public park restroom damaged by graffiti is repainted with a beautiful, landscape mural. A school for special needs children gains a sensory garden. A Boys and Girls Club finds inspiration in a new, cozy reading nook. These are just a few of the more than 300 projects completed at 50 sites across the South Bay and Harbor area during Sharefest’s 13th annual Workday on April 30.

“Nearly 3,000 individuals turned out representing churches, businesses, schools, and more, all to help give back to their communities by completing these beautification projects,” said Chad Mayer, Sharefest Executive Director. “We continue to hear amazing stories of how people stepped up to help, and this day wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors and partners.”

One of the highlights of the day was seeing families and individuals of all ages working together for a common cause as they cleaned, built, painted, and planted to improve the sites at which they served. One volunteer shared, “We built a stronger bond with the school and community who saw volunteers working together to make the community a more beautiful place!”

Another volunteer who served with her family said, “My son was so proud of the work he did since we worked at his school.” Sharefest seeks to instill a desire to serve together in our communities, and it starts with opportunities like these!

Title sponsors Los Angeles Council District 15 and Councilman Joe Buscaino, and Balfour Beatty Construction adopted several projects in addition to supporting Workday. Places such as the Wilmington Post Office, L.A. Harbor Boys and Girls Club, and Walteria Elementary School, among many others, received incredible makeovers as a result of their support.

“Each year I am amazed by the work completed by Sharefest, their generous partners, supporters, and the hardworking, passionate volunteers of Workday,” said Councilman Joe Buscaino, who stopped by many sites during Workday and pitched in with painting and cleaning. “This day is about bringing people together to beautify and improve our communities and instill in all of us a greater pride in our cities. CD15 is proud to be part of this day.”

“This is my sixth year leading a project for Sharefest’s Workday,” said Ben King, BBC Project Superintendent, who helped lead the way at the Walteria Elementary School project. “It’s so inspiring to be a part of this event. Every year something unbelievable happens as people and organizations come through to help us meet needs and finish projects.”

In addition to L.A. Council District 15 and Balfour Beatty Construction, numerous others sponsors generously gave to ensure this year’s projects would be completed, including Phillips 66, the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation, Toyota, Tesoro, and many more. These sponsors model what it means to unite for a common goal of bettering our cities and schools.

As a result of the dedication and work of everyone involved in making these transformations possible, students can now take more pride in their schools, teachers can benefit from refreshed facilities, and communities can enjoy clean, beautiful spaces.

View photos and watch a video recap of the 13th Annual Sharefest Workday.