By Geghard ARAKELIAN

Members of the community are invited to come out to Two Strike Park at 5107 Rosemont Ave. this Saturday, March 27 at 9 a.m. to celebrate Arbor Day.
The event’s theme this year is volunteerism. Local officials say that volunteerism is a relative theme given how members of the community have had to work together in light of the Station Fire and the recent floods.
“We have certainly seen the need to count on our neighbors or friends this year whether it be fire or floods or financial [reasons]” said Kim Mattersteig co-chair of the Arbor Day celebration and Crescenta Valley Town Council member. “There are so many people that are going to participate. I think it’s so exciting this year.”
Some features of the celebration include 25 informational booths by entities and organizations of the community. Refreshments will be served, a kid’s crafts table will also be available for children and a 12-foot California sycamore tree will be raffled off. Musical performances by Crescenta Valley High School’s music department and students of Monte Vista Elementary School promise to be a highlight. Supervisor Michael Antonovich will also be in attendance and CV Weekly reporter Mary O’Keefe is a special guest speaker.
“We’re celebrating the spirit to give [of] yourself unconditionally, without regard for reward or reciprocity” said Mattersteig.
She emphasized that an important part of the celebration is acknowledging organizations that aren’t always in the limelight but work nonetheless to help the community. These include Boy Scouts who help the community in cleanup projects and everyday citizens who give a helping hand to others, said Mattersteig.
“It’s a chance to see everybody, to get a pat on the back and a pat on the back gets you going,” said Mattersteig. “There are so many people in this community who have volunteered whether you are with an entity or not.”