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Once the future comes around, many a movie director and animator has promised us flying cars, robotic servants with existential crises and even the occasional asteroid apocalypse. On a much smaller scale, these creative gurus also take it for granted that everything will be immaculately clean, from whitewashed spaceports to litter-free city sidewalks. But for some, like the Lower Moyamensing Civic Association, the future cannot come soon enough.
From 9 a.m. to noon April 10, LoMo will participate in the third annual Philly Spring Cleanup, “Keep Up the Sweep Up,” in an effort to rid Philadelphia of its litter. Community volunteers will have the chance to take part in various activities, including tree tending, gardening, and litter cleanup.
LoMo, which was founded in February of 2007, constitutes the area from Broad to Eighth streets, and Snyder to Oregon avenues. Local participants in the cleanup, as well as collaborating members of City Year, will meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St. All necessary supplies, such as biodegradable bags for trash and recyclables, work gloves and bottled water will be distributed on-site. Morning refreshments also will be on hand. In addition, recycling bins will be available for pick-up by any neighborhood residents who need them.
Once registration and distribution is completed, site leaders will train volunteers on the proper methods to handle litter cleanup, as well as run through safety precautions. They will then take the group through the route.
Other ways to participate, as outlined on the association’s Web site, involve organizing block cleanups and volunteering to clean and tend Marconi Plaza, Broad Street and Oregon Avenue.
Some incentives for contributors consist of community service credit for students, as well as 50 bonus Recyclebank points for the first 1,000 citywide volunteers to register for the cleanup who have previously enrolled in the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program.
“Apart from the immediate benefit of seeing a cleaner, greener neighborhood,” Massare said, “this event is part of the mayor’s much wider anti-litter campaign.” The message of the cleanup is to encourage residents to take an active and ongoing participation in the betterment of their communities, she added.
The Philly Spring Cleanup boasts a rather impressive history, with last year’s volunteers numbering more than 21,000. This year, cleanup sites include locations within South Philadelphia, Center City, Manayunk, as well as many other neighborhoods. Interested residents must register on the main Web site at www.phillyspringcleanup.com.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable outdoor clothing along with closed-toe shoes. Furthermore, the City recommends that participants bring along a bagged lunch. While the cleanup will continue if the weather includes light showers, the rain date is April 17. SPR
Sweeping around town
LoMo is not the only South Philadelphia organization taking part in the April 10 cleanup. In all, about 22 projects are planned for the area.
South Philadelphia Cleanup Sites:
- 1500 Block of Montrose St., 1508 Montrose St.
- Brian Lawson – Catharine Street Project, 1026 S. 22nd St.
- Bella Vista Town Watch, 743 S. 10 St.
- Call of Duty, 1511 S. Dorrance St.
- FDR Park, Boathouse at Pattison Ave. and 20th St.
- Friends of Starr Garden, 600 Lombard St.
- Gold Star Park, Wharton between Sixth and Seventh streets
- Guerin Recreation Center, 16th and Jackson streets
- Hawthorne Recreation Center, 12th and Carpenter streets
- Latona Street Group, 2808 Latona St.
- Parsons Building at Dickinson Square Park, Fourth and Tasker streets
- Point Breeze Pioneers, 1801 Manton St.
- Randolph Project, 521 Washington Ave.
- Ritner Street Crew, 1128 Ritner St.
- SEPTA Southern, 20th and Johnson streets
- South of South Neighborhood Association, 1901 Christian St.
- South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S., 1444 Point Breeze Ave.
- Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative, 700 East Mercy St.
- Stephen Girard Park, Farmhouse in the Park at 21st and Porter streets
- Zion AME Church, 1600 S. 21st St.
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