Lake Magdalene Elementary Sponsoring Campus Cleanup

Two years ago, a colder-than-usual winter prompted Dodi Davenport to take action.

The principal at Lake Magdalene Elementary School noticed that the chilly temperatures caused plant life at the campus in north Tampa to deteriorate.

"We were in desperate need of pruning and replanting," she said.

So Davenport organized a day of campus beautification that coincided with Disney's "Give a Day, Get a Day" volunteer program and with Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful. About 300 people attended.

This year, the event will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, with lunch provided by the school's dad's club. Davenport and school officials are hoping for a good turnout, and are asking for volunteer help from the community.

"This year, we decided to replace mulch, prune and add color and flowers," she said. "I hope we have between 100 and 150 people."

So far, help to organize the event has come from the PTA, school funds and Gaither High School's agriculture department, who will provide shrubs at a discounted price.

Michelle Muniz, parent involvement community liaison at the school, said fliers have been sent out to parents asking them to help volunteer.

Davenport said the purpose of the event is to encourage students to "take pride" in their school.

"If you see trash, pick it up," she said. "Come out and help make our school even more beautiful. One of the things people comment on is how beautiful our campus is, so we are adding to that."

For more information on the cleanup, call 813-975-7625.