It took 100 tons of topsoil, 57 shrubs and plants, and 5,300 square feet of sod to complete the extreme makeover at the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton on Sunday.
Volunteers from Waste Management, Kaufman Engineering Inc. and Dunbar's Evergreen Landscaping Inc. joined forces to convert a lot next to the nonprofit into a green space for the children and families who spend time there.
"If you saw this just two days ago, it was completely different," said Richard Bradshaw, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton, explaining that a blighted building was torn down to prepare for the project.
Surveying freshly laid sod and volunteers adding mulch to newly planted trees, he said he hopes to add a few more elements to the space over time, like a path of pavers or a gazebo.
"It's a great way for a family to be able to relax," he said.
The volunteer force was composed of employees and their children, including Grace Hambrose, 14, whose father works for Waste Management.
"It's for a good cause," she said, leaning on her shovel. "It's going to help the families to get away from what they're dealing with."
The new outdoor area, surrounded by a white, wooden fence, will also improve the overall community, according to George Dunbar, president of Evergreen Landscaping.
"It enhances our ecosystem in many ways," he said, describing the transformation of the space that previously held a dilapidated building.
The colors of the leaves and the beauty of the plants also add to the area, he said. The volunteers completed the work under clear, sunny skies, a detail not overlooked by Grace's dad, John Hambrose.
"This block has taken a big step forward," he said with a smile. "We probably have the nicest Nov. 18 in 50 years."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter