Staff report

Suffolk’s Citizen Academy Alumni will participate in USA Weekend’s &uot;National Make a Difference Day&uot; on Saturday.

In search of a service project, the Citizen Academy – consisting of graduates of the city’s police and fire citizen academies – decided to meet at Chorey Park apartments in the Williamstown community to begin revitalizing the neighborhood this weekend. The purpose of &uot;Make A Difference Day&uot; is to encourage volunteerism.

Donna Perry, president of the alumni group, worked with the police department in coming up with the idea for the project. Recent sweeps and the arrests of numerous drug dealers and users in Williamstown led police to develop ways to creatively channel positive energy into the neighborhood.

Officers contacted the civic league president, pastors of several churches, and parks and recreation to develop a project to improve the quality of life. Excessive trash and overgrown lots are a major concern, leaving the neighborhood with the appearance of lacking ownership and concern.

Councilman Bobby Ralph and Officer Karl Adams became involved in discussions with Perry. Citizens then decided to take back their streets, and agreed to start the clean-up process on Saturday.

The Citizen Academy Alumni has selected an elderly homeowner to become the recipient of several home improvements, and will receive assistance for the city’s public works department, supplies from local businesses including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, area nurseries, and Salmon Paints. Krispy Kreme donated doughnuts to volunteers.