transforming schools

Beautiful Day volunteers served James Lick High School over the course of a weekend. The basketball courts were restriped and backboards replaced and repainted. The quad was power-washed and new paint was applied to trim and benches. Hallways were scoured and scrubbed clean. New grass and plants helped enhance freshly landscaped grounds that offered students a relaxing garden environment. The Teacher’s Lounge was beautified, and the computer room underwent a complete makeover to assist in functionality. Exterior walls were cleaned and painted, and a science garden was made new and built to hold classes on picnic benches. The entire campus looked fresh.

The “new” campus demonstrated the outpouring of care and support from the community. Sadly, tragedy struck Monday after the Beautiful Day weekend when a student was hit by an automobile and killed on her way to school. Arriving students were conflicted with the emotions that came with loss, and also being excited about their refurbished campus. Grief counselors and staff commented that what had been done to the campus helped the students work through their sorrow knowing that there was a caring community.

transforming lives

A son lost his life serving the United States in the military on April 29th. His father carried a heavy burden of that loss and had a deep desire to honor his son and all he had done for our Country. The Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation seemed a good place to focus his efforts. The CVMF wanted to construct a permanent memorial to honor all those from Santa Clara County who had lost their lives serving the cause of freedom. The CVMF made significant efforts over many years to move forward, but progress was slow.

Beautiful Day joined in and worked with CVMF, the City of Campbell, and many businesses to bring volunteers together to complete the project in a weekend with the final touches being completed in the afternoon of April 29th.

The father who had worked so hard and carried the weight to honor his son for 14 years reported that load had finally lifted.  He was proud of what had been accomplished with the Memorial and how it was a place to recognize the sacrifice his son had made for all of us.

transforming homes

transforming neighborhoods

The front landscaping was so overgrown it appeared more like a jungle. A variety of items were piled haphazardly around the entire house. Critters of many sorts were making their homes in the collection of debris and the neighbors had vigorously complained to the city about both the appearance and the health hazards present.

Beautiful Day volunteers went to work. They asked that neighbors make room for dumpsters and green waste, as well as for the car loads of people that would descend on the residence to help clear the property. The neighbors were so grateful that they brought breakfast and lunch to those who were serving, and many of them also volunteered as well. At the end of the day several dumpsters had been filled and the landscaping was trimmed. The exterior of the house had been transformed to look pleasant and well-kept.  The neighborhood had also undergone change as homeowners bonded in community to help a neighbor. They got to know the recipient and his story, and rather than scorning what had taken place they came alongside and offered ongoing assistance. They truly all became neighbors.