Happiness is a Clean Street

Communitas Supportive Care Society, located at 1423A – 16 Avenue, Campbell River, BC, is the newest volunteer cluster of Adopt-a-Block. 

Mordecai & Rigby approved

The group’s enthusiasm for cleaning the sidewalks and boulevards in their area can be witnessed as often as they see the need, sometimes weekly. The trash deposited by passersby is what they are looking for and when its located,  the dedicated cluster of like-minded devotees go to work. They take up their trash pickers, gloves, garbage bags, visi-vests and street smarts to improve the area in that part of Campbell River. Perhaps the trash-tossers will become aware of the benefit of a tidy place to live, work and play.

Volunteers are thoughtful citizens

 When you are walking, biking, driving, skateboarding or exploring in that district, give the friendly volunteers a wave or bring along your trash tongs, ask them for a bag (donated by the City of Campbell River) and chip in. What fun!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

The Tree of Joy and Radiance

Grayson, Susan, Anne, Robin

The exquisite faces of family and friends radiate joy and contentment from the place where we’ve gathered to enhance a paper birch tree. It lives on a boulevard in Campbell River, behind the curling rink facing Dogwood Street.

Grayson removes trash

On this light-filled day, young Grayson removes the discarded trash from the area, while Pat, a dedicated admirer of nature, sits crossed legged on the earth tugging at invasive plants. Robin, an artist, pours soil on the exposed roots while Anne, a gardener, detaches several large obstructions protruding from the ground. I set the picnic table with food and refreshments, and acrylic paints for later. With dogged determination the crew brings splendor and magnificence to the once straggly-looking white birch.

Bonnie gets a makeover

Several years before, we had adopted and named the tree Bonnie the Birch. Initially, her solitary sentinel-like posture called out to us. She looked abandoned and in need of tender, loving care. It didn’t takes us long to tend to her with nutrients, fresh soil, compost and a power-drink comprising of natural enhancement ingredients. Within a few weeks she exuded a glow that gave off an interesting sparkle during the sun-lit hours. Together, throughout the seasons, we’ve dedicated ourselves to her well-being.

Today, our visit with this attractive natural being brings radiance and joy to our hearts. The brightness and warmth from the sunbeams caress our bodies as we bend and stretch to reach all parts the patient recipient. Grayson speaks to Bonnie like a friend and tells her that she’ll be really happy now that we’re looking after her. I imagine she would whinny like a horse, nuzzle like a dog, or purr like a cat if she had the capacity. I take her branches waving in the slight breeze to be her thank you to all of us. Our final touch to the tree’s newest makeover was painting the rocks at her base. She looks settled, satisfied and attractive. Bonnie and her offspring lovingly referred to as Bert and Bertha, belong to all of us. 

A tree brings friends together

We Pick Up What Others Let Go

 There are two kinds of people, those who care and pick up trash and those who don’t. Today, I met both.

My regular route is from 4^th Avenue to 2^nd Avenue on Dogwood Street in Campbell River, British Columbia. Along my way, a woman told me that the boulevard along Dogwood Street and Evergreen Road intersection had loads of trash spread all over it. I told her I was not able to get to that area because I was following a tight schedule that morning. I suggested she call the City and report the mess.

Later, I glanced across the street at a man tidying up that private property. He had garbage tongs and a trash bag in one hand and his dog on a leash in the other. He had his head down and was working diligently at retrieving what others had tossed aside.

As I approached the bus stop in front of 231 Dogwood, the stench of rotting food stopped me in my tracks. The garbage can put there by the Steiner Bakery owner, was overflowing onto the ground. The rubbish could have fit in the trash container but who wants to clean up? That’s where autonomous volunteers come in. I retrieved the garbage on the ground and packed it into a large bag. I picked up what others had let go.

Bus stop before Adopt-a-Block

Bus stop after Adopt-a-Block

Press Release - Banned From Parks

Campbell River, BC (Canada) – Adopt-a-Block, a volunteer group with a mission to remove trash from the sidewalks and boulevards of Campbell River and surrounding districts has been banned from city parks.

"I am going to have to ask your group not to pick up litter or perform any other work on our parks sites due to labour relations and liability issues, " wrote Ross Milnthorp, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, in an email to Susan Black the initiator of the humble bunch.

“Our single purpose is to clean the city and present ‘her’ as a beautiful place to observe, smell, listen to and feel,” according to Susan. “The volunteers walk the city willingly, some for long distances, retrieving trash that others have left behind. We are sorry to have been excluded from the parks, which are sometimes on our route. The next time you see trash in the park, leave it be, apparently it’s the property of Parks, Recreation and Culture.”

Adopt-a-Block is registered with Clean Up the World, an organization sanctioned by the United Nations. http://www.cleanuptheworld.org

“We intend to develop a ‘Volunteers in Parks’ program as soon as resources allow and we believe that this program will address the issues above and also provide volunteer opportunities, which generate civic pride in our parks system,” wrote Ross Milnthorp.

Susan can be reached at cleanlivingcr@gmail.com, Ross Milnthorp can be reached at ross.milnthorp@campbellriver.ca

Adopt-a-Block Campbell River is registered with this United Nations sanctioned organization

BFI To The Rescue

Courtesy of Progressive Waste Solutions

I heard the familiar thunder of the massive trash dumpster being lifted from its position across the alley from my home.

“They’re replacing the dumpster,” my husband said.

“Oh, really! I'll get the camera,” I said.

I rushed to the balcony of our home to photograph the removal of the massive graffiti-covered waste container. I had called BFI Canada and explained the horrible vandalism scribbled on their property. The nice women on the phone put me through to the man who could solve the problem. Today, I look out at a graffiti-free dumpster. What a pleasure.

If you see graffiti smeared on your adopted block call the company associated with the surface and ask to have it removed. It’s our right to have a clean city.

We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if this drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed. ~ Mother Theresa

Clean Dumper Surface

Mystery Man Sited

Mystery Man

This is not Doug A. with a haircut.

This mystery man, who removes the trash from the Tyee Spit daily has yet to be identified. If you see the anonymous chap cleaning the area, say hello and ask his name.

Tyee Spit Adopted

Doug A. at your service

 Doug A., a dedicated Adopt-a-Block volunteer who already removes rubbish from the sidewalks and boulevards of South Murphy Street and the small plot of land located at the South Alder Street intersection, has taken on the Tyee Spit as a daily destination for himself and his two dogs. He brings his garbage tongs and a bag or two to collect the trash strewn about by those who have a disposable outlook on their environment.

Tyee Spit is a long, flat, narrow piece of land that sticks out into the Strait of Georgia. You can drive, hike or bike to it by turning east on Island Highway onto Spit Road. Once there, take your time to absorb the spectacular scenery, pleasant smells, and impressive sounds. Bring your own bag and trash picker to help out a real-world fellow. 

Love the world as you love yourself. Lao Tze

Tyee Spit Campbell River