Volunteers Help Keep Hollywood Beautiful

Their mission is to help keep the streets of Hollywood clean, but if you talk to volunteers with the Hollywood Beautification Team, you'll find they do much more than that.

Krista Michaels and Terry Davis are both active volunteers with the organization and met when first asked to join its event committee. Michaels said she became a volunteer about eight years ago and was impressed with Sharyn Romano, president of the Hollywood Beautification Team, from the beginning.

“The person at the top sets the tone, and Sharyn is someone who really walks her talk,” said Michaels who lives in Hollywood. “She’s out there every single day, doing what she believes in and trying to make it work. I find that very inspiring.”

Known for planting trees and graffiti removal, the Hollywood Beautification Team also helps clean trash from city streets and much more. The goal is to improve the environment. Michaels said the more she participates, the better she feels.

“This gives me a chance to do something where I feel like my actual labor is making a difference,” Michaels said. “That’s a really good feeling to feel that. It’s a wonderful way to spend your time.”

Davis agrees. She has been volunteering for around seven years with the Hollywood Beautification Team, she said. For her, volunteering comes naturally.

“I feel the need is endless,” Davis said. “I feel so blessed in my life and, for me, it is about giving back.”

As part of the volunteers help with the organization, they also assist with fundraising. Davis said trying to raise money can be challenging at times.

“As much as the environment is important, it’s still not sexy,” Davis said. “It’s hard to get big names behind us to really get the big bucks.”

Despite this, they are not dissuaded. Michaels said the impact of the work they do with the Hollywood Beautification Team stretches far beyond Hollywood’s borders.

“Anything we can do to help keep HBT going strong is helping the environment not only in Hollywood but all of Los Angeles County,” Michaels said. “What we do now is going to make a difference in 10, 20, 30 years.”

Davis, who lives in Toluca Lake, can attest to this fact. Her concerns about the future as well as her desire to support a grassroots organization fuel her.

“The environment is a living, breathing part of our life,” she said. “I think we need to treat the environment not as an owner but as a grateful shareholder.”

To find out more about the Hollywood Beautification Team and how to volunteer, call (323)962-2163, or visit  www.hbteam.org