Crystal Lake Community United on Comcast Cares Day for Crystal Lake Baseball and Canterbury School Renovation Project

On Saturday, April 30, despite rain, wind and cool temperatures, more than 350 volunteers from Comcast NBCUniversal, Crystal Lake Baseball and Canterbury Elementary School spruced up the grounds at Canterbury and the baseball fields behind the school as part of the 15th Annual Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort. The day was officially declared as “Comcast Cares Day” in Crystal Lake by Mayor Aaron Shepley.

Volunteers cleaned out existing beds and planted grass; perennials and shrubs around the school and baseball fields; trimmed and removed trees; and painted the bleachers and concession stand near the baseball fields. Comcast provided the project supplies as well as t-shirts, food and drinks for the volunteers.

Canterbury Elementary School Principal Stacy Graff and Canterbury Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization's (PTO) beautification committee chair Cathleen Martin worked with Comcast technician Joey Maurer and Comcast regional Government Affairs manager Joan Sage to organize the volunteer project and recruit a host of local organizations to participate.

“This was a family-focused event that brought a diverse group of people together to work toward a goal,” said Maurer. “What we accomplished in one day would have taken weeks to do without this combined effort.” Maurer is also president of Crystal Lake Baseball and a Crystal Lake resident who attended Canterbury Elementary School.

“It was awesome to pool our resources to make this project a success,” said Martin. “This was a community effort that included corporations, not-for-profits, local businesses and the school, and it was proof that we can accomplish so much together when there’s collaboration.”

University of Illinois’ Extension Master Gardener program provided access to Master Gardener Cindy Hayden’s sustainable landscaping plan and expertise for this project. Other community businesses and organizations who donated their time, talents, equipment and services for the project included Green Trail Landscaping and Design; Boy Scout Troop 165; Canterbury PTO; District 47’s grounds crew and lead Sean Smith; students from Crystal Lake Central High School’s National Honor Society, Latin Leadership Club and Spanish National Honor Society; students from Crystal Lake South High School’s National Honor Society; and students from the 4-H Community Cloverleaves club.

In addition to the volunteer accomplishments on Comcast Cares Day, the Comcast Foundation will provide a grant in recognition of the Comcast employees and many volunteers who gave their time. The grant will support the goals and mission of Canterbury Elementary School PTO and Crystal Lake Baseball.