The stretch of Benson Road between Southeast 240th and Southeast 248th streets on the East Hill of Kent is looking much better, thanks to efforts of volunteers organized by the Kent Chamber of Commerce East Hill Partnership (EHP) Committee.
The group, which met at the Golden Steer Steak ‘N Rib House to check in and organize, finished the cleanup with a luncheon provided by restaurant owners Jim and Suzanne Berrios and members of the EHP committee.
The committee, having decided to participate in the Adopt-A-Street program, met with Gina Hungerford from the Kent Public Works Department prior to the Nov. 3 event to ensure the safety of all participants.
The event was the first of four that the committee will participate in over the upcoming year.
The committee chair, John Schneider, and event leader Michael Skarin divided the team of 24 into groups on the east and west side of the road, with a focus on the area around the sidewalks and into business parking lots, collecting more than 400 gallons of trash and recyclables. They also picked up several campaign signs that had been knocked down, cleaned them off and stood them back up.
Josh Hall from the city of Kent organized people from KEHR (Kent East Hill Revitalization Committee) to assist, along with Gary Lee from Kent Community Foundation, chamber members, staff and community volunteers.
The mission of the EHP Committee is “to facilitate the revitalization and unity of the diverse community within the East Hill.”
Chamber members interested in participating in the committee, and any businesses interested in joining the chamber, can contact membership director Caren Crowley at 253-854-1770 for more information.
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