Leon Bibb to lead Building Better Neighborhoods volunteer team

CLEVELAND - NewsChannel5's Leon Bibb walked the neighborhood at East 116th Street and Ashbury Avenue on Cleveland's east side, he met some of the residents who live there and talked to them about ways to improve their homes.

The street will soon be the target of a community clean-up effort, assembled by the Famicos Foundation, Rebuilding Together and NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods .

Volunteers will pick-up trash, remove high weeds, replace landscaping,and perform some basic painting. The effort is set to take place Friday, Aug. 17, starting at 8 a.m.

Famicos Foundation is searching for volunteers to help with the project, to be led by Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell, and NewsChannel5 news anchor Leon Bibb.

Bibb said he believes any improvements in the neighborhood will act as a catalyst for a continued resurgence in that community.

"It will have a domino effect," said Bibb. "The people next-door will see what's going on, and they'll pitch-in to help."

"Improvements will then move down the street, down the block and the over to the next neighborhood. The next thing you know, your rebuilding and entire community, an entire city."

Residents like Jamie Kidd, who has lived on East 116th Street for the past 40 years, are pleased about the upcoming Building Better Neighborhoods event.

"I'm very excited. I'm getting more help than I'm getting now," said Kidd. "I really appreciate that."

The neighborhood was selected by Ward 9 Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell and the Famicos Foundation.

"We're pleased to work with NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods to make a difference on this street," said Conwell. "The residents living here are going to participate, the residents are going to help, the residents are going to feel better about their community."

The event is also being coordinated by Rebuilding Together Greater Cuyahoga Valley, an organization dedicated to helping low income families improve their homes and quality of life.

"We not only give hope to homeowners, we help remove blight and give hope to the neighborhood," said Rebuilding Together Executive Director Paul Holm. "We just hope to build a better sense of community."

Conwell is pleased the volunteer team will be led by Bibb, Leon grew up in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood, just a mile and a half from East 116th Street.

"Leon knows the neighborhood, he's from the neighborhood," said Councilman Conwell. "He's always helping out at Glenville, so we know Leon Bibb is very inclusive in our community."

Volunteers interested in joining Leon Bibb, and signing up for the event, should contact Famicos Foundation volunteer coordinator Sadie Johnson at 216-791-6476 ext. 244, or get more information from the Famicos Foundation website.