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CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are partnering for the 2016 Community Makeover community service project on Thursday, July 28 in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Lower Price Hill.

Almost 400 volunteers from P&G North America Brand Management, the Cincinnati Zoo, Reds Community Fund and Kroger will participate in the day-long volunteer project at three sites in Lower Price Hill:

• Evans Field and Playground: Upgrade existing baseball elds and park amenities (628 Evans Street) • Community Gardens: Develop largest greenspace in Lower Price Hill with natural playscape and learning gardens for children (654 Neave Street)

• Espy Center: Upgrade the former Boys & Girls Club in partnership with Community Matters and Santa Maria Youth Services (2312 Glenway Avenue)

The volunteers will begin working at 9 a.m. and the projects culminate at 3 p.m. with dedication ceremonies featuring Reds, P&G and Zoo executives along with local civic, business and community leaders.

The best times for media to conduct live shots and interviews are:
– 6 to 8am: Early AM live hits from the Evans Field & Playground with Charley Frank from the Reds Community Fund and Jeff Metzner from P&G (628 Evans Street)
– 3pm: Dedication ceremony at the Community Gardens (654 Neave Street)

P&G, the Reds and the Zoo’s investments in Lower Price Hill 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.

Project partners include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Interact For Health, Cincinnati Community ToolBank and HGC Construction.

The Community Makeover Team is proud to welcome Kroger and ReSource as new partners for 2016.

“Kroger is proud to partner with the Reds Community Fund, P&G and the Zoo for this year’s Community Makeover,” said Patty Leesemann, Public Affairs Manager for Kroger. “Our support for the communities that we operate in is just as important now as it was when Barney Kroger opened his rst grocery store in 1883. Our associates are excited to be a part of this great project and give back to the lower Price Hill community.”

ReSource contributed design support, ooring discounts and furnishings for the Espy Center makeover. ReSource is a non-pro t that helps other area non-pro ts stretch their dollar by providing training, connections and surplus corporate furniture, equipment and merchandise that would otherwise be discarded.

Community partners include Community Matters, Santa Maria Community Services, Community Learning Center Institute, Bloc Ministries, Cincinnati Recreation Commission and the City of Cincinnati’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP).

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

The goal of the annual Community Makeover is to choose a neighborhood renovation project that improves local youth baseball and softball programs while making a signi cant impact on the community and its residents.

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