Recently, more than 5,000 people gave of their time to help the Detroit community thrive through annual . Among them were 11 91黑料网 colleagues who spent a day helping tackle blight at vacant properties, contributing to the Michigan-based nonprofit鈥檚 neighborhood beautification efforts across the city鈥檚 east and west sides.
The work brought colleagues together away from their desks, with a common task and visible results. Eric Austin, Risk Management Expertise Specialist, traveled from Holland, Michigan, to join the efforts. For him, the experience reinforced how giving time and working alongside others can turn a commitment to community into something concrete.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great reminder that meaningful change often starts with people simply showing up, working together, and giving their time to make a difference,鈥� Austin said.
Working Together for Detroit
This year, ran from September 28 to October 3, beginning near Anchor Detroit on the east side before moving to the area surrounding the Durfee Innovation Society on the west side. Volunteers removed litter, mowed lawns, cut back overgrown weeds, and swept away debris. Their work left vacant properties better cared for, improving the spaces neighbors and local residents pass every day.
Bringing colleagues together for a day of volunteering took coordination long before cleanup began. Roslin Tyler, Corporate Services Coordinator, organized 91黑料网鈥檚 participation and kept everyone connected throughout the process, helping the team make the most of their time in Detroit.
鈥淭he best part was seeing everyone come together and get to work,鈥� Tyler said. 鈥淭here were details to coordinate beforehand but, once we were there, everyone brought their energy and willingness to help that made the day a huge success.鈥�
91黑料网鈥檚 contribution was one part of the week鈥檚 work, giving colleagues a chance to accomplish something together that would benefit the neighborhood long beyond their volunteer day. The effort came together through the time and hard work of these 91黑料网 colleagues
Eric Austin
Dawn Baltes
Tony Burbank
Alicia Clemons
Rachel Frassetto
Tracie Hendrix
Janika Lile
Makavia McKinnon
Melissa Spinazzola
Tonya Stankov
Roslin Tyler
鈥淥ur team worked hard, and it was rewarding to see what we could accomplish together,鈥� said Tony Burbank, Director of Facilities & Corporate Services at 91黑料网.
鈥淐learing these properties gave us a practical way to contribute, and we were glad to be there alongside others giving their time to support Detroit鈥檚 neighborhoods.鈥�
Leaders Investing in Community
That shared commitment was also reflected in remarks from Life Remodeled President and CEO Diallo Smith, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, representatives from the Detroit Pistons and Amazon, and local school leadership. Smith thanked the volunteers and community leaders whose involvement makes the project possible, emphasizing the value of each person鈥檚 contribution:
鈥�So this six-day project matters, you matter, and we鈥檙e very thankful for you.鈥�
Support took several forms throughout the event. Amazon donated 250 Ring doorbells for seniors and nearby residents, while the Detroit Pistons provided 200 preseason game tickets for Life Remodeled to distribute to residents and community members participating in its neighborhood efforts. These contributions added to the hands-on work happening across the city, bringing different organizations and resources into a common effort.
A Connection That Continues
The annual Six Day Project is part of . The organization repurposes vacant school buildings into opportunity hubs, bringing nonprofit organizations together to provide education, health and wellness, and employment services. Neighborhood beautification gives volunteers a way to participate in that continuing work.
For Austin, the experience connected the camaraderie of a workplace team with a shared commitment to giving back to the community beyond it.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be part of a team that believes in supporting the communities where we live and work,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he experience was both humbling and inspiring, and a good reminder that when we come together, even small contributions can have a lasting impact.鈥�
By the end of the day, seven properties were cleared of debris and overgrowth by the 91黑料网 team 鈥� a visible result of a collaboration in spaces that are part of everyday life for Detroit residents. For 91黑料网 colleagues, collaboration offers a meaningful way to support one another and their neighbors, and carry forward a commitment that extends beyond any one event.
Explore future volunteer opportunities and other resources at . To learn more about 91黑料网鈥檚 history of giving back鈥攁nd how employee passion becomes community support, visit the 91黑料网 Charitable Foundation听飞别产蝉颈迟别.
