2007 Bring Back Sherman Park Day

It was unanimous that it was a great event!  The first annual "Bring Back the Park" Day was a huge success.  Hard-working volunteers, dedicated partners, great weather, along with the vision and commitment of Diversified Insurance were key ingredients to the revitalization of Sherman Park.  The event, held to celebrate Diversified's twenty-five years of service, was held in lieu of a corporate party. 

"After our work, one of the park officials said it looked like some had dropped a new park in the neighborhood!  We estimate 110 volunteers, with their time valued at nearly $10,000", commented Diversified's President, Bob Sowinski. 

Milwaukee County Supervisor, Scott Walker, assisted in the clean up and spoke to volunteers and residents of the Sherman park community.

2007 Park Improvements

1. Purchase & install 10 aluminium park benches (six for tennis courts).
2. Purchase and install windscreens and plywood backboard for tennis court.
3. Power wash tennis courts.
4. Partner with MTEF to hire Sherman Park Outreach Coordinator Johnson Banks.
5. Sand exisiting picnic tables.
6. Rake the baseball diamond.
7. Add exercise stations to areas of the park.
8. Plant flowers in the circle driveway and in planters.
9. Purchase and install basketball backboards with removable rims.
10. Clean up the porch and mulch trees.
11. Improve childrens playground by adding Fibar to the base.
12. Provide hospitality to all volunteers.  Cooking provided by Diversified Chairman, James MacCormack.

2008 Bring Back the Park Day II

For the second year in a row this event was a huge success!  Over 125 volunteers and partners worked together to rejuvenate Sherman Park.  The event also received a lot of press from local news channels, who praised the efforts of the volunteers.

Sherman park residents and volunteers were treated to beautiful weather, splitting into teams in order to work on improvements more efficiently.  Thanks to coordination by Diversified Insurance, the day ran without a hitch.

"This has truly been a team effort, one that Diversified insurance is proud to be part of", stated Diversified's Chairman James McCormack.

"This is exactly what people from the Ford foundation had hoped would occur when they made their $100,000 grant.  Positive programming and events brings other organizations and people on board.  Everyone realizes that this cannot, and should not, be done alone.  Together, we can all make a difference", said Ford Project Coordinator, Diana Miramontes.

2008 Park Improvements

1. Power wash tennis courts.
2. Purchase and install new tennis nets.
3. Purchase and install new windscreens.
4. Rebuild and install wooden park benches.
5. Stain existing picnic tables
6. Clean up park and surrounding areas
7. Place wood chips around park's trees and sand under trees.
8. Spread Fibar on the base of the playground.
9. Plant flowers in the park's circle drive and in the planters.
10. Provide hospitality to all volunteers.