Small-business owner MaryLou Hernandez is taking the Fiesta slogan, "Party with a purpose," to heart.
Hernandez and her family are installing a 4-by-8 inch section of white picket fence for every Fiesta wreath sold at their shop, The Cascaron Store, at 3303 Broadway.
The fences will be built for residents in Hernandez' east-side community who are elderly, disabled, or cannot afford home improvements.
"I thought of using my store to help the community," said Hernandez.
Hernandez and her family moved to the east side five months ago and fell in love with the community.
But she says she noticed that neighbors did not spend much time outside getting to know each other.
"The whiteness of it, it makes the neighborhood friendly and nice," Hernandez said of the fences. "And that's what I want neighbors to see in their neighborhood."
"Oh, I'm so happy," said Soledad Lopez, who is receiving one of the free fences. "I feel more protected with something around my house."
The Fiesta wreaths cost $67; fence section costs $50.
Hernandez and her family began building fences at two homes at Dakota and Spruce streets.
"It brings the community together," said Hernandez. "It makes them come out and talk to each other. We have seen that since we put up the picket fence. It's been just a wonderful idea."
Hernandez has sold 31 wreaths so far and will sell them through the end of Fiesta on April 27.
The work on the fences will continue after that.