Painting One Part of Town with L.A. Works
More than 80 Northrop Grumman people from Southern California sectors joined 1,000 volunteers from local companies for L.A. Works Day on Saturday, June 14. The day was all about transforming a single school in one day. From 9 a.m. until late afternoon, that is exactly what happened. Thanks to designs from an L.A. Works muralist, the exterior walls at Hillcrest Drive Elementary School in the southwestern Los Angeles Crenshaw District went from dull to stimulating.
Northrop Grumman volunteers transformed walls that were pale orange to scenes of ocean, jungle and desert; science experiments and achievement; space and weather; music and art; as well as a few fish and butterflies randomly scattered around the doorways.
“We were able to make a real difference in the community, the school, and most importantly the environment these young kids live in every day,” said George Vardoulakis, vice president, Tactical Systems at ISWR, who volunteered for the day and brought along two of his children to be part of the crew.
“Our partnership with L.A. works has been, and continues to be mutually rewarding; this event was no exception. We were also able to instill a sense of community in our own kids.”
Vardoulakis added that he enjoyed being part of realizing the art. “I was impressed by the thought and preparation that went into the artwork painted on the walls,” he said. “The art will make a lasting impression on many of the students and cause others to inquire and seek to understand more from their teachers.”
Summer session at the school was open on Monday after the volunteers’ work. Principal Freida Smith was delighted with the reactions of her staff and students. “One of my teachers came to me to say ‘I love coming to work now,’” Smith said. “One of the students told me it looked like an angel came to school.”
As the work progressed on L.A. Works Day, she enthusiastically thanked all the people who worked hard to create such a positive new atmosphere for everyone, including people in the neighborhood. Murals at the school entrance and on the handball courts are now visible to everyone who drives by, helping to promote pride in the school.
L.A. Works Day has a 16-year history in Los Angeles and Northrop Grumman employees have been part of nearly every one. Focused on support from companies and their employees, it is the largest day of corporate service in the city’s annual calendar. In past years it has focused on parks, schools, community centers, and even homes in economically disadvantaged areas.
In 2008, with public funds in short supply, the L.A. Works organization decided to throw the enormous energy it generates into improving a school through volunteer action.