The Campbell Reporter

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Community Day would be way civic officials could reach out

By Koren Temple

San Jose has one, and so does Los Gatos. Now Campbell Civic Improvement commissioners want to jump on the bandwagon and start the city's own Community Day.

The event, while still in the conceptual stages, would be a day where nonprofit organizations and city officials provide information about services and community-related projects to the public.

"We want to let people know what's going on in Campbell--what services are available and what community projects are going on that residents can participate in," Campbell Civic Improvement Commissioner Frank Jewett said.

The Civic Improvement Commission has been tinkering with the idea for the last year, said Al Bito, assistant to the Campbell city manager. "We still have to figure out the when, where and the funding for the event."

Community Day was designed to help unify the city by encouraging more services and philanthropy.

"We really need to get out and get to know our neighbors and encourage them to get involved," Jewett said.

Jewett, who spearheaded the idea, says he would like to launch Community Day in April or May. Right now, Jewett and other civic improvement commissioners are researching how other cities, such as San Jose, roll out the event.

"San Jose does their Community Day at a local park. So for this initial launch, we might host it at one of our parks or at the Campbell Community Center," said Jewett, who has served on the commission for four years.

On a civic service level, Campbell has hosted blood drives and worked with the American Heart Association, said retired Campbell Fire Capt. Al Lowder, who also served on the Campbell Parks and Recreation Commission. This is the first time, however, an event of this scale has been proposed.

"I think the Community Day is a great idea. I think it will be well received," Lowder said.

Jewett said with Campbell's tight city budget, it's important to get the community involved in volunteering so a range of services can be provided.

"We need to build a greater connection in order to build a better community," he says.

For more information on Community Day, call Al Bito at 408.866.2128.