News and Stories

Over 500 volunteers will participate on July 20th service day

CINCINNATI (June 28, 2017) — Procter & Gamble, the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and Kroger have selected the Cincinnati neighborhood of Evanston for the 2017 Community Makeover.
Evanston will receive a major renovation of the Hoffman baseball complex, the creation of a “naturescape” at the Evanston Recreation Center and upgrades to the old Hoffman School building.

Elements of the Community Makeover will include:
• Hoffman Baseball Complex: Upgrade existing baseball field and park amenities.
• Naturescape: Creation of a nature-inspired community playground that includes an interactive building and play area, water feature, and 75-foot zip line along with walking trails and log paths.
• Hoffman School: Upgrades to kitchen, cafeteria and gym as well as meeting and community spaces.

Project partners include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Interact For Health, Cincinnati ToolBank, Cincinnati Recreation Commission and ReSource.

Planning for the project has already begun and will culminate on July 20 when more than 500 volunteers from P&G, the Zoo, Kroger, Cincinnati Children’s and Interact For Health will join Reds Community Fund staff and board members for the day-long volunteer project.

The investments in the Evanston project will provide significant and sustainable impact, including reducing operating costs and energy usage and investing in the long-term development of the community and its residents.

The goal of the annual project is to make a transformative and sustainable impact on an urban neighborhood and its residents while improving the local youth baseball and softball programs.

The project will include support from hundreds of corporate and community volunteers but there is a need for donations and in-kind contributions. To donate, please contact the Reds Community Fund at [email protected] or 513-765-7231.

P&G and the Reds Community Fund have partnered for the Community Makeover since 2010 and the Cincinnati Zoo joined the partnership in 2013 bringing a wealth of experience in horticulture, sustainable design and maintenance to the projects.

Kroger has increased its participation in 2017 to become a title partner for the Evanston makeover.

Past Community Makeover projects:
• 2016: Lower Price Hill – Evans Field and Playground, Community Gardens and Joe Williams Family Center
• 2015: West End – Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Sands School playground and Dyer ballfields
• 2014: South Cumminsville – Wayne ballfields and Millvale Recreation Center
• 2013: Avondale – Gabriel’s Place, Hirsch Recreation Center and Hirsch ballfields
• 2012: Cheviot – Memorial Fields, historic grandstand and Cheviot Memorial Fieldhouse
• 2011: North College Hill – High school field and community center plus youth field in Winton Place
• 2010: Winton Place – Brandon Phillips Field and P&G Field