Communities First, Inc., Keep Genesee County Beautiful and Flint Neighborhoods United partnered to host a City Wide Litter Clean Up effort from October 19-October 25. The purpose was to empower community groups to address litter in their neighborhoods, beautify the Flint community, encourage friendly competition and reward the good work of those that pick up litter in our city.
This endeavor was about cleaning up the items that could fit in a trash bag, not about tires, appliances, mattresses, or dumping. It was about the candy wrappers, fast food containers, empty bottles, cigarette packages, grocery store plastic bags and more; the things we see on the street, up against the fence, blowing through the neighborhood, the things that we notice, but don’t really see when we’re in a hurry.
In total, 49 people volunteered 87 hours and picked up a whopping 3,475 pounds of litter!
Prize winners are:
1st Prize - $1000 – Mott Park Neighborhood Association
2nd Prize - $500 – Glendale Hills Neighborhood Association
3rd Prize - $250 – Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association
Honorable Mentions - $500 in-kind – towards event or activity planning assistance from Communities First, Inc. or towards a community garden from Keep Genesee County Beautiful - Friends of Hasselbring Park and Rollingwood Issues.
In addition to the competition, the committee recognized a total of 11 individuals Litter Champions who work tirelessly all year to ensure litter is cleaned up along city corridors and in neighborhoods. Litter Champions were nominated by community members and will receive a certificate, a $25 gift card and recognition on social media.
2020 Litter Champions are:
Patrick Schaefer
Frank Charles Duverney
Sharon Bradley
Bonnie Grass
Ivan Dawson
Reginald Bond
Scott Schiepek
Quincy Murphy
Mary Coe Ryan
Iral Leavitt
Ladel Lewis
The Step Up, Pick Up effort was so well received that the committee has decided to continue the competition with even more prizes and recognition in the spring and fall next year.