A downtown district beautification effort led by the North Bend Economic Development Commission (EDC) will be 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 18.

“We’re trying to clean up the downtown streets for spring and for our visitors. We want to make North Bend a place people want to come shop, eat, and enterain themselves,” said Gina Estep, director of community and economic development.

The EDC invites all interested citizens, business and building owners to participate by volunteering for this city cleanup; no experience is necessary. Tasks include raking, pressure-washing sidewalks, cleaning up winter debris, helping with sidewalk maintenance, and filling the 20 planters that the city recently purchased to dot the downtown core.

“We’d love as many volunteers as possible. We welcome all business owners to come out and get involved. They’re welcome to focus on an area near their business,” said Estep, who added that the clean-up day gives Mount Si High School students an opportunity to fulfill some of their requirements for community service.

“A lot of the materials will be there; we just need the manpower,” Estep said.

* Volunteers meet at the North Bend Train Depot, 205 E. McClellan St., at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 18. For more details on how to get involved or to donate goods or services for volunteers, contact Gina Estep at (425) 888-5633, ext. 7640 or by e-mail at ginae@ci.north-bend.wa.us.