STATE OF CALIFORNIA ── THE RESOURCES AGENCY GRAY DAVIS, Governor

CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS

Northern Coastal Service District

1500 Alamar Way, Fortuna, CA 95540-5946

(707) 725-5106 FAX (707) 725-1748

For Immediate Release Contact: Stacy Stein

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Fortuna Corpsmembers Put In Over 550 Hours of Volunteer Work in Humboldt County

More than 50 corpsmembers from the California Conservation Corps in Fortuna have volunteered over 550 hours this summer to support community events and to help community organizations whatever way they could. In Fortuna, corpsmembers volunteered to sell raffle tickets at the Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. They also directed traffic during the 2003 Fortuna Autorama. Sgt. Kris Kitna described the corpsmembers that volunteered as professional and friendly. In preparation for this year’s rodeo, corpsmembers volunteered to paint the bathrooms at Rhonerville Park. Recently, corpsmembers volunteered at Civil War Days “doing anything they were asked and helped out in more ways than I can say” said Dennis Hanson, Fortuna Rotary Club Chair.

Corpsmembers have also been a part of many celebrations in other parts of Humboldt County. Four corpsmembers volunteered to help run athletic events at the 2003 Redwood Summer Games in August. The staff at the Redwood Summer Games was thrilled to have volunteers with such high energy, enthusiasm and positive attitudes. Also in August, corpsmembers volunteered to assist with Wildwood Days in Rio Dell where they ran carnival games and assisted wherever they were needed. Connie Hill described her experience with corpsmembers as very positive. She was thrilled that they were willing to do anything she asked of them. Last week, corpsmembers volunteered at the Eureka Waterfront Walk and Run where they directed both automobile traffic and race traffic.

In addition to these events, corpsmembers have also volunteered their time to help out a number of community organizations. They spent two Saturdays working for Habitat for Humanity in McKinleyville. They also volunteered for Vagabond Players, helping them move into their new location in Eureka. This past Father’s Day, a few corpsmembers volunteered to spend time with seniors at Sequoia Springs in Fortuna. They also harvested food out of our community garden and donated it to Food for People in Eureka.

Corpsmembers are young men and women between the ages of 18 and 23 who come from all over California. They work full-time toward enhancing California’s environment by building trails, creating habitat for Salmon and the endangered Snowy Plover, and a variety of other projects. Even though their weeks are filled with hard work, many corpsmembers choose to spend their free time in the community volunteering for a variety of events.

For more information or photos, contact Stacy Stein at 725 – 5106 x 215