Local government declares May 1 HOG Day

	From left, Greenville City Council member Jil Littlejohn, Hands On Greenville Advisory Board Chair Guy Hempel, Greenville County Council member Liz Seman and UWGC Director of Community Affairs Laurie Rovin following the reading of the proclamations at Fluor Field.

As more than 5,000 community volunteers prepare to go to work for their community this weekend, Greenvile City Council and Greenville County Council have officially declared Saturday, May 1, as Hands On Greenville Day across the city and county.

The individuals proclamations were read by Greenville City Council member Jil Littlejohn and Greenville County Council member Liz Seman prior to the Greenville Drive’s game Tuesday night at Fluor Field. Guy Hempel, chair of the United Way's Hands On Greenville advisory board, and Laurie Rovin, director of community affairs for United Way, accepted the proclamations.

Hands On Greenville Day, or HOG Day as it is affectionately known, has grown to become the Upstate’s largest day of service.

“The outpouring of community support this year has been absolutely amazing,” said Hempel. “At last count, we were approaching 5,200 volunteers and more than 127 volunteer teams. Collectively, this year we will complete more than 300 projects for area nonprofits, schools, parks and other community organizations. What a wonderful testament to the volunteer spirit that is so alive and well here in our community.”