AmeriCorps: Getting Things Done

Picture from the Colonel Allensworth SHP AmeriCorps Facebook page.

The blue trap catches the storm of weathered gray paint clips as they fall to the ground. Workers on ladders scrap away the old paint in preparation for a long overdue new coat of paint. They are “getting things done” at the Allensworth Hotel.

The motto of AmeriCorps is “getting things done,” and that is just what the AmeriCorps team is doing at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. During the team’s six week stay at the park they are taking on much of the maintenance and repairs that have been delayed because of budget cuts.

AmeriCorps was established on September 21, 1993 when President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act. Since then thousands of Americans have given a year of their lives tutoring kids, building homes, or on projects like Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. In other words they have been “getting things done.” In return for a year of service they are given an education award that helps pay their college tuition or student loans.

During the team’s first week at the park they started painting the hotel and placing sign markers for the park’s new cell phone tour, which will launch on April 2nd. After they finish painting the hotel the team plans to paint the school house.

You can follow the team’s progress on their Facebook page. While you are there thank the team for “getting things done” at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Without their help there is no telling when the work they are doing would get done.



Stephen Hill, Sr.