March 21, 2017 - Recent heavy winds that downed power lines and tree limbs early this month also sprayed trash and debris in neighborhoods throughout the community. A larger than normal amount of trash and debris are polluting our roadways, ditches and neighborhoods and the City’s Solid Waste Department is in need of volunteers for the annual Great American Cleanup.
The need is great throughout the community and we are asking youth groups, schools, churches, civic organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, families or individuals to show their civic pride and help keep Fort Wayne Beautiful.
This year’s Great American Cleanup is on Saturday, May 20. Volunteers are asked to pre-register so that the City can accommodate them with event tee-shirts, gloves, and trash bags.
Individuals, families and groups can register at: www.cityoffortwayne.org/greatamericancleanup or call 427-1345, no later than Monday, April 24.
Solid Waste staff members are coordinating and assigning locations to make sure areas that need attention are addressed, but groups are able to pick an area of their choice if they have identified a location. Once the group has an assignment they usually begin the clean-up process between 8-9 a.m. on May 20.
A celebration party will take place at Headwaters Park West from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be food, drinks, games and prizes for volunteers.
2016 Stats
- 5,823 volunteers (a record)
- 17,469 volunteer hours of clean-up
- 189,000 pounds of litter & debris collected
- 1,500 illegally dumped tires recycled
- 81 miles of our roads and streets cleaned
- 1,639 acres of parks & public lands were cleaned
- 36 miles of hiking, biking & nature trails cleaned
- 24 miles of river banks cleaned
The Great American Cleanup is the country’s largest beautification and community improvement effort. Nationwide, there were more than four million volunteers last year. Fort Wayne’s clean-up efforts focus on neighborhoods, vacant lots, trails and greenways, graffiti removal, streets and roads, and our rivers. The event provides a great opportunity for neighborhood associations, church groups, service organizations, youth groups, schools, and all residents to make a difference in their community.