Euclid emerges victorious with nearly 200 bags of trash collected by volunteers at ‘The Big Clean 2018’

Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers and dozens of sponsors who made 'The Big Clean 2018' a success! Euclid was the winner, collecting nearly 200 bags of litter. 

Hundreds of Euclid and Collinwood residents took to the streets, parks, tree lawns, and highway ramps on Saturday, April 21st for ‘The Big Clean 2018’, the second annual cleanup competition between the two communities. 

Euclid was once again victorious, collecting nearly 200 bags of trash in just a few hours. 

Ward 3 Councilperson Taneika Hill is a returning participant to the now annual event. “Most people would not be excited about spending a Saturday morning picking up trash,” she commented, “but I find a great deal of satisfaction participating and seeing so many members of my community come out to be the change they want to see.” 

Councilperson Hill participated in the cleanup with fellow Council members Brian Moore (Ward 2), Christine McIntosh (Ward 5), and John Wojtila (Ward 6). Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail and multiple city employees volunteered to assist Keep Euclid Beautiful with the registration, cleanup, and after party at Villa Angela St Joseph High School (VASJ). 

“I have received phone calls from (people) that want to make a neighborhood cleanup a regular thing. What a way to make a positive impact,” Councilperson Hill continued, “I am so glad to be a part of such an awesome thing.”

Eleven year-old Adam Turos and his sister Lauren Turos, eight, could not agree more. They were astounded by the litter in their neighborhood. “There were a million cigarette butts and I wish people dropped as much money as they do trash,” commented Adam, who found $1 near Mary Mavec school. Lauren noted an especially large quantity of cigarette butts in the garden by CVS on Lakeshore Boulevard. The most interesting thing she found was a smashed Dora microphone.

After a morning spent picking up litter, Adam observed that the City could install “ash trays on the sidewalks and corners.” It is a great observation, and a project that the City of Euclid will roll out later this year thanks to a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program grant from Keep America Beautiful. 

‘The Big Clean 2018’ was a partnership of the City of Euclid, Cleveland Councilperson Michael Polensek, Keep Euclid Beautiful, Euclid Beach Adopt-A-Beach, and the Litterbugz. Thank you to the many volunteers who made ‘The Big Clean 2018’ a success, and especially to our sponsors who provided monetary and in-kind donations to support the marketing, event costs, and raffle prizes for participants. Our sponsors this year included: VASJ, Overlook Photography, radio station WINT 1330AM/101.5FM, Ganley Subaru Wickliffe, Mannick & Smith Group, Euclid Hospital, Lakeshore Coffee House, Infield Chiropractic, Jakprints, Simon’s Market, Dunkin Donuts, Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail, Council President Charlene Mancuso, Adelina Easley, Great Scott Tavern, Chili Peppers, Brenda Hall, Power Alarm, Eaton Family Credit Union, Angela Little and Tom Jeschenig, Bagel Buddies, Shade Tree Commission, Big Heart Yoga, Cebars Tavern, Irie Jamaican Kitchen, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, and Citizen Pie.

If you participated in the cleanup, please share your photographs on social media using the hashtag #thebigclean2018 and/or by sending photographs to keepeuclidbeautiful@cityofeuclid.com

Allison Lukacsy-Love

Allison Lukacsy-Love is the Community Projects Manager at the City of Euclid. You can reach her at (216) 289-8160 or by email at alukacsy@cityofeuclid.com

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Volume 9, Issue 5, Posted 4:48 PM, 05.10.2018