Chelsea Clinton leads ‘Day of Action’ in Palm Springs
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton led local leaders and hundreds of volunteers of all ages for a “Day of Action” Sunday. They grabbed their shovels and dug in to make a difference at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center on Tramview Road in Palm Springs.
“I think the only way you can participate in a Day of Action is to really get down and dirty … really get engaged. I’m thrilled to have our second Day of Action in the Coachella Valley,” Clinton said.
Clinton joined families to plant an orchard of 20 trees, paint benches and picnic tables, and to help create a positive picture in the desert.
“It think it’s awesome that she recognized the park and the people coming here today,” said 12-year-old Tirrell Johnson.
“We’re out here fixing up the community, building an orchard, beautifying the area we live in and work in,” said volunteer Linda James, of Palm Desert.
Volunteers said they’re excited watch the new Chelsea Clinton Orchard grow as five Coachella Valley churches will be able take care of them.
“When we talk about maintaining wellness, it’s not only personal wellness, it’s also community wellness. and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday, particularly people with people coming straight from church, than building an orchard where their children and hopefully their grandchildren will play in the future,” said Clinton.
The day included a health fair with dental screenings and other helpful resources for families in need. Local boxing champ Timothy ‘Desert Storm’ Bradley helped pass out brand new bicycles to children.
The new mom said you’re never too young to build a healthy community, well almost never.
“My daughter is definitely too young. She’s only four months, but when she’s old enough, we’ll definitely be giving her a paintbrush too,” Clinton said.
As the Clinton Foundation gears up for the fourth Clinton Health Matters Activation Summit, “It’s important to us we give something back to a community that’s been so good to us,” Clinton said.
