The late Councilman Tom LaBonge frequently pitched in to help with beautification efforts, as in 2014 in Fern Dell in Griffith Park. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The community will come together on Saturday, Sept. 28, to beautify Los Angeles in honor of one of its greatest cheerleaders – the late Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.

The third annual Tom LaBonge Day of Service runs from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the neighborhood around Pico Boulevard and Western Avenue. The event is being held in conjunction with L.A. Civil Rights and the office of Councilwoman Heather Hutt, 10th District. Participants will meet in the parking lot of the 10th District Field Office at 1819 S. Western Ave. and take a brief walk to the cleanup area.

The annual beautification project is led by LaBonge’s widow Brigid and his children Charles and Mary-Cate, as well as the late councilman’s extended family. Charles LaBonge said he is proud to continue the legacy of his father, who frequently led cleanup efforts. While the late councilman represented the 4th Council District, LaBonge said his father would have liked that the project branches out to show the importance of teamwork and pitching in to help others.

“We worked with Councilmember Heather Hutt in CD 10 last year and it was awesome, so we are teaming up again,” he added. “It’s important to extend this to other council districts. My father would personally go into other neighborhoods and clean up areas that weren’t in his council district. I attended Loyola, so I know the area well. Councilmember Heather Hutt has been a true champion for our family and it was a slam dunk to partner with her again.”

“Tom LaBonge spent decades serving the people of Los Angeles, working tirelessly to ensure our city is one of equity and equality. He knew that having the title of a public servant was more than just a job, but about truly doing the work to push forward change that makes a difference,” Hutt said. “I am proud to be a part of the Tom LaBonge Day of Service, a day that influences our entire community to live out Tom’s legacy by giving back and being there for one another.”

The beautification effort will include trash and debris removal, weed abatement and sidewalk cleaning, LaBonge said. The city will provide latex gloves, trash bags, tools and masks. Previous cleanup efforts were well attended, and LaBonge hopes to see a turnout of 50-75 people. In doing so, they keep his father’s legacy alive, LaBonge added.

“I feel very strongly about it,” he added. “It’s something as simple as picking up a wrapper off the ground. It goes a long way when you have a group of people working toward a goal like that. It’s good will in your heart that you can carry with you the rest of the day.”

Snacks and a water refill station will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring water bottles, use sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes.

To register, visit bit.ly/LaBongeDayofService.