EAST LANSING, Mich. — For the next six weekends, members of the East Lansing Rotary Club will volunteer their time to "activate" several public spaces in downtown East Lansing. They will be distributing masks, hand warmers and hand sanitizer to people who come out.
“The call was put out to East Lansing Rotarians and they are eager to volunteer their time to support the City of East Lansing and downtown businesses,” Chris Nugent, president of Horizon Bank (Greater Lansing Market) and president-elect of the East Lansing Rotary Club, said.
It's called the Weekend Warrior Program. It's meant to encourage people to grab takeout from a downtown restaurant and dine outdoors at the socially distanced tables with outdoor heaters that were installed as part of the city's Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime. Place Project
And it starts Saturday, in the pedestrian alley in the 500 block of Grand River Avenue (adjacent to Campbell’s Market Basket)
The Weekend Warrior Program will move to a new location every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the end of March.
Other days and locations include:
- Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the pedestrian link under Newman Lofts (adjacent to Barrio Tacos)
- Saturday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the north side of the Division Street Garage
- Saturday March 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ann Street Plaza (corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues)
- Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; location TBD
- Saturday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; elevated plaza on the east side of the East Lansing Marriott
In addition, the Rotary Club donated. $5,000 towards the Place Project's crowdfunding campaign that was launched about a month ago.
“We appreciate the East Lansing Rotary Club’s support of this exciting project for downtown, both by way of volunteer service and funding support,” said East Lansing Community & Economic Development Administrator Adam Cummins. “We hope to see community members mask up and come on out for some heated, outdoor dining this winter and early spring at the various public spaces we plan to activate.”
Guests are reminded that masks are required both indoors and outdoors in downtown East Lansing, but they may be removed once seated to eat. Safe physical distancing is also recommended from people who are not part of their household. Open alcohol will not be permitted in the City's outdoor dining spaces at this time.
