DESERT HOT SPRINGS — The Desert Hot Springs Beautification Committee will host a two-school cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 5th starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Painted Hills Middle School and Bella Vista Elementary School.

Teachers, parents, students, and city volunteers will pick up trash, sweep sidewalks, rack leaves, and perform other general cleaning on and around both school campuses. The event should last about two hours with water, juice and healthy snacks provided by the city of Desert Hot Springs.

The committee has joined with the principals of the two schools to educate their students about the importance of keeping their city clean. This is a pilot program that hopes to partner with other local schools throughout the coming year.

This is the first cleanup event of the newly reorganized beautification committee which has redirected their focus from the cleanup of empty lots to helping residents and businesses beautify their homes and storefronts.

The city has committed $500,000 towards the beautification project which expects to paint houses, fix windows and roofs, along with sprucing up signage and business storefronts. The city’s code enforcement department will help choose which businesses and homes will be approved for repairs. Each home and business will get about $10,000 each towards their beautification project. The $500,000 comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Housing Authority.

DHS Mayor Scott Matas and Councilman Roger Nunez, along with Compliance Manager Christina Newsom lead the beautification committee with residents James Nindel and Jackie Devereaux organizing this event.

Painted Hills Middle School and Bella Vista Elementary are located at 9250 Sonora Drive.

Image Sources

  • Painted Hills Middle School: PSUSD