Earth Week 2026 — Thank You, Marengo
April 19–26, 2026 · Marengo, IL
~200 Volunteers
covered every single street in Marengo
What a week. The Beautify Marengo group has really stepped up to pull off something incredible — and none of it would have been possible without all of you. Many hands make light work, and your support allowed us to hit every single street in the city, from the parks and trail to neighborhoods, school grounds, and avenues we've been meaning to get to for years.
Honestly? We were absolutely blown away. When we started planning this, we hoped for a good turnout. What we got was an entire community showing up — scout troops, church groups, students, city staff, local businesses, and neighbors who just wanted to pitch in. The response exceeded anything we could have imagined, and it's a reminder of just how much Marengo has to offer when people come together.
We would obviously be here all day trying to list every single volunteer who came out. But we did want to take a moment to recognize the businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed in specific ways — from sponsored supplies to improvement projects that made a lasting difference.
Who Showed Up
🏢 Businesses
- FNBO
- Joy in Motion
- Marengo Tool & Die
- Prairie Community Bank
- RE/MAX Connections II — Bryan & Chrissy Newbold
🤝 Community Groups
- Cub Scouts Pack 163
- D165 Schools
- Girl Scout Troops 2244, 754, and 222
- Marengo United Methodist Church
- MCHS Track, LEO Club, and National Honor Society
- St. John's Lutheran
- Zion Lutheran — school and parishioners
🏛️ City of Marengo
- Alderman Matt Keenum
- Alderman Mike Miller
- Alderwoman Amanda Damisch
- City Administrator Derik Morefield
- City Clerk Matysiewski
- Director of Finance & Human Resources Megan Lopez
- Mayor Proffitt
- Police Chief Kjellgren
Earth Week Projects
Earth Week wasn't just cleanups — several dedicated crews tackled improvement projects around the city too.
🌳 Calvin Spencer Park Improvements
Park benches repaired, sign power washed
- Nick Sloat — bench repair
- Greg Wright — power washed the sign, benches, trash cans, and more throughout the park
- Hargrave Builders — Steve Straub (donated wood for the benches)
- Joe & Theresa Buehler — donated flags for the park
🌸 Signs & Gardens
Welcome signs mulched, native grasses planted, city gardens refreshed
- Marcie Weskerna-Carlson & Allisen Mueller — added mulch to welcome signs and planted native grass (donated by Hoffie Nursery)
- City Gardens crew — planted outside City Hall and the island in the municipal lot, and spread mulch in the police station flower beds
- Marj Murray — police station flower beds
Sponsors & Supply Donors
Every volunteer t-shirt, a whole lot of gloves, and safety vests were covered by these generous local sponsors.
- ✦ CJ Drilling — Marty Mohr (gloves & vests)
- ✦ HyperStitch
- ✦ Jewels Creations — kids' safety vests (Scouts)
- ✦ Marengo Floral Co.
- ✦ Marengo Insurance
- ✦ Marengo Park District
- ✦ Marengo Tool & Die Works, Inc.
- ✦ Prairie Community Bank
- ✦ Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc.
- ✦ Trinity River Construction, LLC