A Clean-Up Team from Assertive Kids worked to beautify a stretch of sidewalk area near Intermediate School 51, the Edwin Markham school. The area was beginning to look like a junk heap.
Bags of trash were collected from the ground and subsequently thrown away, along with a flat screen TV someone had illegally dumped there. Litter attracts litter, and reduced the quality of life for all. Should middle schoolers be forced to walk along a stretch of sidewalk that looks like no one cares about their neighborhood on their way to and from school? Should seniors? Should anyone? It’s demoralizing.
That same stretch of sidewalk was again cleaned-up about ten days later by Assertive Kids, as more garbage had been tossed by inconsiderate people. Subsequently, local neighbors began cleaning up the area themselves, and at this point,the dumping has slowed down, though not stopped completely. Even if it’s not your property, you can do something! Cleaning up is easy. be sure you bring strong gloves, plastic trash bags, and if doing this after dark, be sure to wear reflective clothing.
We all need to remember the basics, if our neighborhoods are going to be pleasant places for us all to live. If you have a drink, please don’t throw the can on the sidewalk. If you have a TV to throw away, please call 311 and do it properly. There is no charge, unlike in many small towns. Why pollute and make Our Island look like some place visitors would rather not see?
If you are interested in joining us on our next clean-up, please call us at (877) 235-3319. We plan to continue clean-ups, even through the colder months.
