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Clean water and shade for Bakersfield: restoring the Sycamore hillside

Help us clean and replant the Sycamore hillside before the September planting window closes.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Bakersfield, California, United States1,342 views
Laura Estrada
Email verified
Bakersfield
The Sycamore hillside has been used as an informal dump for years. This July, 53 neighbors turned up for a first cleanup, filling 88 bags in a single morning. Now we want to restore it for good. We have a plan agreed with the local forestry office, including native species selected by a local botanist. The area floods more each year, and fish have returned for the first time in a decade after our first cleanup. Restoring it will protect homes and bring back shade. All the labor is volunteered. We just need materials. We'll post planting day photos and a count of every sapling planted. Where the $1,800 goes: โ€ข Native saplings and stakes: $960 โ€ข Waste removal and skip hire: $460 โ€ข Tools and protective gear: $380 Glad we found this place.

Updates from Laura

  1. Thank you all. We're at 19% now ($339). I'm honestly stunned. the plan for tools and protective gear is now scheduled.

  2. Wanted to say thank you properly. 17% funded and we've started the first stage.

  3. Wanted to say thank you properly. 13% funded and the first invoice got paid this week.

  • Verรณnica D. Delgado ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $810
  • Regina F. Campos ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $129

    โ€œKeep your head up. Thought of Laura all day after reading this. - Los Angelesโ€

  • Antonella Alice Russo ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ยท $50
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $50
  • Rani W. Yadav ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $44
  • Keith W. Tucker ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $37

    โ€œPraying for you. Saw your post and had to give. - Duluthโ€

  • Hiba Dalia Hegazy ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $30

    โ€œTake care of yourselves - Boulogne-Billancourtโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $25
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $25
  • Benjamin Frank Fuseini ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $25

    โ€œKeep your head up. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Takoradiโ€

  • Svetlana Maryna Borisov ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ ยท $20

    โ€œHope it all works out. Thought of Laura all day after reading this. - Saint Petersburgโ€

  • Angel W. Armstrong ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $20

    โ€œAll the best. Saw your post and had to give. - Peoriaโ€

  • Aaliyah S. Singh ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $20

    โ€œHope it all works out! - San Joseโ€

  • Aria T. Marshall ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ ยท $20

    โ€œGod bless. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Melbourneโ€

  • Mason Houston ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $10
  • Clodagh D. Gallagher ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $10
  • Martina Camilla Riva ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ยท $10
  • Carmela W. Rivera ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $10
  • Pandu Candra Yuliani ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $10
  • Fajar Zulkifli Surya ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $5

Reviews

3.0(17 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Patrick W. Merritt๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Exceptional service

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Komal Mittal๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Cora A. Barrett๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Practical and effective help

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Ganesh Hegde๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Reliable and compassionate

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Lina Richter๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified helper
    Patient and understanding

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Fรกbio Santos๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Birgit Fuchs๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified helper
    Changed my perspective

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Yeshi Zewdie๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡นVerified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Hideo Takeuchi๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Ayumi Uchida๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Shirley K. Anderson๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified helper
    Made a real difference

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Lena Mรผller๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Masud Sarker๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Ziad Mahmoud๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Delivered on promises

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Osama Mourad๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Faith Shayo๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Practical and effective help

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Linda Obeng๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญVerified helper
    Exceeded expectations

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

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  • Thinking of you, Laura. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Wish I lived closer to Istanbul so I could bring a meal. Blessings.

    $1,360 raised of $1,800

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