Large number of volunteers make Revive 65 a huge success

A record number of volunteers joined city leaders for Hollister's 12th annual Revive 65.

"Revive 65 is our annual city cleanup for our downtown area," explained Jeramie Brannon, Park and Recreation Director for the City of Hollister. "Also, we were able to plant flowers in our landscapes in all the parks and on Downing Street."

Revive 65 began in 2012.

"We mostly concentrate on the downtown area and our parks," said Brannon. "This year, we put a lot of attention on our cedar steps, and the community center. The cedar steps were being taken over by trees and small brush, making the steps hard to walk up and down. The community center had a broken down wooden fence between the depot and the train tracks. We do have it in this year's budget to have that fence replaced with a four-foot black chain link fence, giving the area an upgrade that it desperately needs. Also, we were able to paint the caboose that is located next to the community center."

Revive 65 saw its largest group of volunteers ever during this year's event.

Said Brannon, "A total of 108 volunteers. In years past, our goal for volunteers would be between 60-80 volunteers. Every year we get different groups. This year, our big groups included Hollister High School staff and students, Wyndham Resorts, Girl Scouts, Hollister Rotary, Great River Engineering, city staff and family, park board members and Hollister residents."

Kim Connell, Communications Director from Hollister Schools noted, "We had around 40 volunteers from the school, including students, teachers, coaches, administrators and school board representatives. Many of these individuals also had family members with them. Students represented various organizations, including band, track, softball and student council. Additionally, we were happy to see several of our students there volunteering with Girl Scouts."

"Many students expressed how much fun they had, and that they are looking forward to volunteering again next year," Connell added. "As a school district, service learning is something we value and believe it is vital and important for our students to learn the importance of giving back to their community."

Brannon was pleased with the work the volunteers were able to complete.

"As the Park Director for the City, I feel great about what was accomplished," noted Brannon. "We are a small department and when you have that large of a crowd, you are able to get a number of projects done that might not get done. The City of Hollister would like to thank everyone who came out to participate and made it one of our best Revive 65 events ever! Next year, put on your calendars Saturday, April 27, 2024, for Revive 65. Let's try to break the 2023 volunteer record!"