Written by: Rachel Lee, FCSN Voices Editor
Graphics by: Olivia Koo, FCSN Voices Graphic Artist

It’s an early Saturday morning, and the summer sun casts a warm glow over FCSN’s South Bay Center. Despite the nearly 90-degree heat, volunteers are hard at work. Some plant tree seedlings, others sweep leaves, and a few set up food and drinks in the cozy Friends Coffee & Tea cafe. In one corner of the parking lot, a group of volunteers lays down mulch, preparing the planters for the fragment lavender and sweet pea bushes to come. The air is filled with the scent of fresh earth and blossoming friendships as volunteers exchange friendly smiles and words of encouragement, united in their mission to transform the yard into a welcoming space for the FCSN South Bay community.

On August 3 from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M., FCSN organized their 2024 South Bay Center yard cleaning and planting project. This event follows as a continuation of last year’s South Bay Center cleanup, where volunteers had cleared overgrown plants and weeds that had dominated during the pandemic, trimmed trees, and repainted the building’s front ledger. This year, the focus is on re-landscaping and introducing fresh new plants, restoring the campus look that was first established seven years ago in 2017. “I love volunteering here, and I just think that [FCSN clients] deserve a really beautiful place to come to every day,” said Jessie Consentino, an FCSN volunteer. “[FCSN does] such a good thing for the community and for the special needs community, so I think [clients] deserve to come in and have a beautiful space.”

Over 60 volunteers from District 50 of Campbell Home Depot, the Almaden Valley-Willow Glen Rotary Club, and FCSN staff, clients, and their parents came together for this initiative. This year, Home Depot’s non-profit community outreach program, Team Depot, played a significant role, providing a generous grant of $11,528 for purchasing plants, equipment, and tools. “I think [FCSN is] doing a great thing in the community,” said Kyle Barth, the store manager at Campbell Home Depot. “Working with somebody that is able to help and donate…[is] one of the reasons I work at Home Depot.” Since 2011, Team Depot has partnered with over 10,000 national and local nonprofits across the country, extending the company’s impact to address and serve community needs. “I cannot say enough thanks to Home Depot,” said Sylvia Yeh, the FCSN Executive Business Director and event coordinator. “This is the home for our South Bay parents and clients…[and] I’m very grateful that we have so many supporters, volunteers, and donations to help make our center beautiful again.” The Rotary Club also played a crucial role in facilitating the connection between Home Depot and FCSN, making the event a successful and collaborative effort.

Bright and early that Saturday, volunteers began their work. In the front parking lot, Rotary Club member Terry Kao and other volunteers laid mulch in the planters, while Rotary Club Board of Directors member Bob Carlson and his team planted tree saplings in front of the building’s front ledger. In the back parking lot, FCSN clients and their parents worked together to sweep leaves and debris into large trash bags. “Every one of [the volunteers] is very sincere,” said Vivian Chung, the FCSN South Bay Program Director and event coordinator. “They’re not just showing their face; they’re really doing the hard work.”

While volunteers were hard at work outdoors, Friends Coffee & Tea manager Roxana Chiu was busy preparing a selection of complimentary snacks and refreshments. As volunteers took breaks in the welcoming atmosphere of Friends Coffee & Tea, they enjoyed delectable mini sandwiches and croissant bites alongside refreshing drinks like iced tea and lemonade. Resting inside the cafe, they also admired the beautiful artwork on the walls and cabinets crafted by talented individuals with special needs. 

As lunchtime rolled around, Rotary Club volunteers began setting up for a BBQ feast of delicious hamburgers and hot dogs. The FCSN band Dream Achievers arrived on site, bringing lively performances of nostalgic pop songs that had volunteers of all ages clapping and singing along as they relaxed under the canopies.

After a festive BBQ meal, volunteers shifted their focus to the final touches of the yard transformation. They watered the tree saplings and set up three-tiered planters of vibrant red, orange, and yellow flowers that added a burst of color to the yard. In the back parking lot, they poured fresh soil around the fence and raked the area to ensure a clean and polished look. Volunteers from Home Depot, including customer experience manager Stephanie Carroll, arranged planters along the perimeter of the building and filled them with a variety of greenery such as honeysuckle, basil, rosemary, and succulents. By the end of the event, the South Bay Center stood beautifully transformed, a reflection of the volunteers’ hard work and dedication. The new landscape, with its vibrant flowers and lush greenery, embraced the center with a fresh and inviting atmosphere. 

As the volunteers took a moment to admire their work, people from all the different groups exchanged words of gratitude, acknowledging each other’s contributions and sharing conversations about the day’s efforts. The success of the event was a result of a unified effort, with everyone working together seamlessly. Reflecting on the day’s results, Chung said, “This is a very unusual group together, with the help of the City of Campbell Park & Rec, Home Depot, the Rotarians, [and] with FCSN. All four groups don’t seem like they’re in the same [field], but somehow, because of this, we all get together. Hopefully, other people will see…that everyone can help. There are endless possibilities of giving back to the community.” The day’s efforts had not only rejuvenated the South Bay Center but also strengthened the bonds within the community, demonstrating that together, diverse groups can achieve something truly beautiful and impactful.