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With tools in hand Mayor Mike Bloomberg dug deep into New York City's Summer of Service.

"More than 40 years ago celebrated the Summer of Love," Bloomberg said. "This year we are going one step further [and celebrating] the summer of service."

The Summer of Service launched in April as an answer to President Barack Obama's call to service. According to the mayor, the program brings about 1,000 volunteers from the City's Summer Youth Employment Program to public housing developments and parks throughout the city to dedicate two days of volunteer service.

Last Friday, the mayor joined 200 volunteers in a sea of orange shirts as they created planter boxes, added plants to existing beds, mulched, composted and weeded on the grounds of the South Jamaica Houses.

"[We want to] harness everybody's willingness to give back; that's what New York City Service is all about," Bloomberg said. "We want to make New York City the easiest city to serve in. We want to pass on the value of service to the next generation of this city."

Jeanne Mullgrav, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development's commissioner, said New York City's young people want to give back.

"In fact 44,888 of those who applied to the Summer Youth Employment Program this year expressed interests in service opportunities," Mullgrav said. "NYC Service introduces young people to the rewards of service and encourages them to seek out additional volunteer opportunities."

Diahann Billings-Burford, chief service officer, told the volunteers to think of the impact their service would have on the residents of the South Jamaica Houses.

Billings-Burford, dubbed the first service chief in the city, state and possibly the country, said she has a goddaughter who lives in the Houses.

"If you wonder if your work did matter think of that one little girl," she said.

Mariann Dolphus, a resident of the houses since 1975, said it was the first time the mayor visited the South Jamaica Houses.

"I think it is very nice," she said.

Trissamae Johnson, an eight-year resident, said they've tried to get the mayor to look at their garden, which Dolphus said she started more than 30 years ago.

Janice Flood, a New York City Housing Administration consultant, praised their ladies on their garden and heaped accolades on the volunteers.

"It's fabulous," Flood said of the volunteers' service. "It benefits the whole community."

Myah Blythe, a volunteer, marked her second service day at the South Jamaica Houses. She spent her first day at Forest Park.

"Its good to give back," Blythe said.

Azeem Golding, 16, also spent his service days at Forest Park and South Jamaica Houses.

"I think it was great that Mayor Bloomberg came out" he said.

For Blythe, the best part of service is "seeing the after result and saying I did that."

Reach Reporter Sasha Austrie at saustrie@queenspress.com or call (718) 357-740, Ext 123.