Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge (Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, October 9th, the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights) hosted the inaugural Tom LaBonge Day of Service with the Department of Public Works, Mayor Eric Garcetti, City leaders, community stakeholders, and more than 250 volunteers. The event, which spanned five neighborhoods across the city, cleaned parks and streets of Los Angeles.
On January 7, 2021, Tom LaBonge passed away at the age of 67. The former Councilmember - affectionately known as 'Mr. LA' - served the City of Los Angeles for over 39 years with a boundless energy and infectious love for the city. He could often be found cleaning storm drains, sweeping streets and filling pot holes around town - even as Councilmember. His energy was infectious and his love for LA, unparalleled.
But even more than the parks, icons and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, what Tom loved most was its people. He seemed to know everyone and what high school they went to. Tom's larger-than-life personality made Los Angeles, a city of 4 million, feel like a community.
On October 9th, three days after what would have been Tom's 68th birthday, the community of Los Angeles paid tribute to him.
Hundreds of volunteers and community groups cleaned streets and parks from Silver Lake to South LA, Watts, North Hollwyood and Griffith Park. The Mayor and City leaders spoke at various locations, where volunteers rolled up their sleeves and showed their LA love - just like Tom would have.
Share your memory of Tom in our Tom LaBonge memory book at bit.ly/RememberLaBonge.
Algin Sutton
Silver Lake
Watts Towers
North Hollywood
Tom LaBonge Day of Service is hosted by LA Civil Rights and the LA City Department of Public Works and supported by Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Controller Ron Galperin, Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Councilmember Nithya Raman, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Councilmember Marqueece Harris Dawson and Councilmember John Lee, the Sister Cities Association, The Consular Corps, LA City Department of Recreation and Parks, LADWP, and The LaBonge Family.