The 2009 East Side Clean Sweep project will be held on May 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, and the aim is to have about 1,500 people participating in the spring clean-up around schools and along safe walking routes to schools. Last year, more than 900 students, parents, relatives, community members, police officers and school officials pitched in for the first clean-up event.
The goal of the Clean Sweep project is to:
- Educate children about the positive impact they can have through community service;
- Build partnerships between schools, businesses, community members and children;
- Provide a fun, positive activity to participate in and help keep the community clean; and
- Support the community’s effort to spread the word about the impact of graffiti.
During the first Clean Sweep, participants from the community and 10 schools collected 926 bags of garbage and filled 13 dumpsters with waste found around the schools and along the walking routes. A highlight for last's year's group was when community members came out of their homes and clapped for the "cleaners" as they worked near by.
After the clean-up on May 2, there will be a community celebration and awards ceremony from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Stewart Middle School, 5010 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. It will be free for Clean Sweep participants and will include a barbeque, family activities, entertainment and awards.
Schools participating in the 2009 Clean Sweep will include Boze, Blix, Lister, McKinley, Roosevelt and Sheridan elementary schools; Gault, McIlvaigh and Stewart middle schools and Lincoln High School.
The Clean Sweep planning committee includes the Tacoma Public Schools, First Creek Neighbors, Tacoma Police Department, Tacoma Housing Authority, City of Tacoma, Boys and Girls Club, Kids at Hope, Safe Streets and the Puyallup Tribe.
Contact Kate Frazier at 253.571.1347 for more information or to sign up as a volunteer for the 2009 East Side Clean Sweep project.