National Grid employees join Lynn parks cleanup for Earth Day

LYNN – Approximately 50 National Grid employees and perhaps as many local volunteers will join together May 8 to spruce up two city parks – one on the waterfront and the other in the Highlands.The Friday cleanup effort is spearheaded by the utility company, the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) and the city.”Grab your employees, wear your team business shirts, enjoy a catered lunch and media photo ops while volunteering for a good cause,” said LACC spokeswoman JoAnn Power.The volunteers will tackle two projects – painting rails at the city’s Seaport Marina and removing brush and other matter from the park and stairs around High Rock Tower. According to Power, volunteers can lend a hand for a half day, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, or stay through 3 p.m. for a whole day of community service.Volunteers will meet at Seaport Marina for an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Vans will shuttle the volunteers assigned to the High Rock Tower Observatory project. Every participant will receive an Earth Day T-shirt.Two Lynn businesses – Beden Hardware and Wayne Alarm Co. – are helping to sponsor the event by providing paint, brushes and buckets for the work at Seaport Marina, Power said.National Grid spokeswoman Deborah Drew said the company is eager to participate.”Across National Grid’s U.S. service territory, we will be engaged in several community projects in recognition of Earth Day. The projects at Lynn’s Seaport Landing and at the High Rock Observatory Park are excellent ways for our employees to work with the city and the community at large to help beautify the area that will be used for years to come,” said Rick Murphy, senior vice president of energy solutions for National Grid. “This project is an example of how we can all use the power of action to make a difference in our communities.”Drew said at least 50 National Grid employees have signed up for the cleanup while the Lynn chamber has mustered 15 and is looking for another 15 volunteers.Anyone seeking to participate should respond by Monday, May 4. Call the chamber at 781-592-2900. The rain date is Friday, May 15.