But the other part of this is the volunteer effort we're trying to build. To make a community work and grow better, it takes people stepping up and volunteering for various causes. For Clean And Green, we're trying to spruce up the City using volunteer efforts to take on projects that might not otherwise get done. Last year we did some plantings around the entry signs into the community at N. Locust and on Freeport Road in addition to a litter pickup in the downtown, some storm cleanup and graffiti coverup. This year, we planted in the neighborhood of a few hundred flowers in the downtown, at Grandon, and at the Farmer's Market. We also cleaned one case of graffiti and watered all of the new plantings. Another crew donated some hours at the Manahan home. The third crew worked on a home that's needed painting and cleanup for some time. They blasted the paint off, scraped and got nearly all of it primed over the course of 3 days. Amazing!
So to the Wal*Mart Distribution Center who stepped up with probably 40 volunteers last year and this year, I say thanks to all of you for helping us all out. The Distribution Center has come forward both times and brought volunteers who are happy to be helping and work hard on the task at hand. Much appreciated. We were also joined by Bob and Judy Fox who regularly help the Park District through a volunteer program they coordinate. Great of you two to come down and help. And while I'm at it, thanks to the Public Works guys who took on some overtime hours on a long weekend to help Sterling residents out. I stopped by both sites and I know those guys were happy to help and wearing smiles.
I hope people and other businesses can join us next year, whether it's a project we can decide on, or one you can pick. We're just hoping to get more people into spring cleaning and making our area an even better place to live!!!
Some of the scrap we'll attempt to salvage:
Several of these were filled and taken away!
Tires continued to be a popular drop off item:
