Volunteers Help the IRC in Atlanta Clean Up Local Community to Honor Dr. King

On January 21, 2013, the IRC in Atlanta honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy, and joined hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country on the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, to better the local community of Clarkston, GA. 

As a way to give back and have a positive influence in the lives of our refugee clients, the IRC in Atlanta has officially adopted a section of North Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston – from Church Street to Clarkston High School – as well as the MARTA bus stop in front of the Clarkston Public Library. This area is where many IRC refugee clients reside, and both volunteers and staff were excited to give back to the community and have a positive impact in the lives of our refugee clients.





















Photo by Chris Adams

In partnership with Clarkston High School, Keep DeKalb Beautiful, and over 40 refugee clients, IRC staff, and community volunteers, the IRC in Atlanta picked up trash along the one-mile stretch of road and beautified the MARTA bus stop in front of the library, making the area comfortable and appealing for Clarkston residents. Additionally, volunteers planted a fig tree sapling, donated by Farmer D’s Organics, at the MARTA stop that will bring shade to the area in the years to come.

The IRC in Atlanta would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Farmer D’s Organics, ACE Hardware, and the Bagel Palace for their generous donations. Thank you to Rupert Fike who built and placed the MARTA stop bench, Clarkston Councilperson Jean Brown, Clarkston High School, and Keep DeKalb Beautiful for their contributions, which made the event such a success.

In the future, the IRC in Atlanta’s Youth Futures program plans to clean up the mile on North Indian Creek Drive and MARTA stop once every three months. To get involved, please contact Jessica Seales, Volunteer Coordinator, at VolunteerATL@rescue.org or 678-636-8928.