By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — As BlockWork nears, the Community Appearance Commission is looking for volunteers to help transform the 400 block of South Lee Street on Oct. 27.

As a joint project with Salisbury Community Planning, Salisbury Community Appearance Commission and the Housing Advocacy Commission, BlockWork is a one-day event that brings together residents and volunteers to help with exterior home repairs.

Laurie Klaus, who is a member of the Community Appearance Commission, has been volunteering at BlockWork for several years. She said she likes seeing the immediate impact of giving back.

“I personally am not a morning person,” Klaus said. “As soon as I arrived, I could feel the positive energy of everyone coming together to help the community. It’s obvious what needs to be done. It’s daunting but you’re not doing it alone. By 3 o’clock, that goal has been accomplished.”

This year, the UNC-Charlotte School of Architecture will be participating in BlockWork. Professor Marc Manack said Alyssa Nelson, staff liaison Community Appearance Commission, asked him if the School of Architecture students would be interested in helping out with this year’s BlockWork.

“We emphasize at the school community engagement,” Manack said. “This seemed to fit that narrative. We’re always trying to get the students out. It seems like a good fit to what BlockWork is.”

The undergraduate and grad students have been assigned a project to make a fence on the block aesthetically pleasing. He explained that in architecture they focus on the finished product being perfect, but with this project, it’s more about the steps during.

“The act of building it is a creative process,” Manack said.

For Klaus, participating in BlockWork brings her joy whenever she drives through the neighborhoods she has helped. 

“The feeling lingers whenever you drive through the neighborhood,” Klaus said.

Nelson said BlockWork is about bringing together Salisbury.

“It’s meant to be a day to bring the community together and beautifying the neighborhood,” Nelson said.

BlockWork is Oct. 27 at 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meals, drinks, gloves and T-shirts will be provided to volunteers.

The deadline to sign up for BlockWork is Oct. 1. To volunteer, visit salisburync.gov/Blockwork. They are looking for people to help with painting, carpentry and landscaping and no experience is necessary.

Residents who miss the Oct. 1 deadline can still volunteer but won’t be guaranteed a shirt.