Locals invited to ‘Love Costa Mesa’ in 5th annual citywide day of service, celebration

A 5^th annual Love Costa Mesa citywide day of service taking place Saturday morning asks residents to invest in their local neighborhoods with some sweat equity by lending a hand to spaces and people in need.

Locals can visit lovecostamesa.org and sign up for one of 80 service projects — comprising some 1,800 volunteer opportunities — that will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at various locations in Costa Mesa and portions of Newport Beach.

A volunteer gardens Saturday at the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen as part of Love Costa Mesa 2021, a community wide day of service.

(Courtesy of Love Costa Mesa)

Tasks range from painting and cleanups to landscaping and assembling care packages. Locations include local schools, churches, civic organizations and parks.

Part of a wider “Love Our Cities” campaign that takes place in Orange County and beyond, the service day is an initiative operated by Trellis, a nonprofit collaboration of church leaders and residents who work together on citywide issues.

“The purpose is to reach those who might never step out regularly and give them a taste of giving back, so they want to give back year-round,” said Reina Cuthill, director of Trellis’ Neighboring Initiative, which organized Saturday’s event.

The morning kicks off with a rally, from 8 to 9 a.m., at Costa Mesa City Hall. Participants can mingle and enjoy free coffee and breakfast burritos before heading off to their individual projects.

Cuthill said people can show up for the rally and sign up for a project on site, adding some assignments are within walking distance of City Hall.

Afterward, from noon to 1 p.m., a lunch celebration at City Hall will offer free meals from six local eateries as well as live music and activities for children.

“We want people to come together and celebrate unity in the city,” Cuthill said of the day. “It’s a chance to connect with different kinds of people who are doing good.”

For more details, including a list of projects and volunteer needs, visit lovecostamesa.org. Costa Mesa City Hall is located at 77 Fair Drive.

Members of Dance 4 Joy perform in 2021 for volunteers during a lunch at Christ Lutheran Church during Love Costa Mesa day.

(Rick Raasch)

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