An open letter to residents:
Bring out your brooms and cleaning supplies, spring cleaning is right around the corner. The fourth annual Philly Spring Cleanup is April 2. It’s our time to get Philadelphia looking its best and keep it that way.
The Philly Spring Cleanup gets bigger and better each year. And this is something that we should all be proud of. The groundswell starts on tiny blocks in communities across the city. The enthusiasm spreads from neighbor to neighbor and we become a motivated, united front.
Last year, we had more than 11,000 volunteers at 230 projects across Philadelphia. We collected more than 1.3 million pounds of trash from our communities. Our success has been recognized by national organizations such as Keep America Beautiful. In fact, this year, Keep America Beautiful has designated the Philly Spring Cleanup as a Great American Cleanup national kickoff event.
And I know we can do even better this year. Once again, let’s join forces and set out to make this our biggest cleanup yet. There are many ways that residents and organizations can get involved. Visit www.PhillySpringCleanup.com and find information on the nearest site to you and sign up to volunteer.
During the last three cleanups, I have visited and participated in projects across the city. At these cleanups, I see civic pride in action. I see motivated residents getting their hands dirty and establishing ownership of their blocks, neighborhoods, parks and community centers. It’s important that these vital efforts don’t go to waste. Our efforts must extend beyond one day. We must build off of the momentum established during the Philly Spring Cleanup and sustain the effort all year round.
How can we do this? Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee schedules its clean block events on Saturdays throughout the spring and summer. Visit www.philadelphiastreets.com to find out when a cleanup is coming to your neighborhood.
Our city’s new Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services has launched SERVE Philadelphia, the city’s blueprint for service. Visit http://volunteer.phila.gov to find other projects taking place or how you can get involved in other community initiatives.
Residents can take a stand against litter through the UnLitter Us movement. Take the pledge and get involved by visiting www.philadelphiastreets.com and follow UnLitter Us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Philly Spring Cleanup is only the beginning. Stay involved in the cleanup efforts that happen all year long. If we keep the momentum going then we will create a more beautiful home for ourselves and a better place for others to visit. So let’s Keep Up the Sweep Up, not just on the day of the Philly Spring Cleanup, but every day. I look forward to seeing all of you out there on April 2!
Volunteer at www.phillyspringcleanup.com.
Mayor Michael Nutter
City of Philadelphia
The three winners of the 2011 Readers’ Choice Ballot contest have been selected. Joan Hatton, of the 2900 block of South Carlisle Street, won the grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to an advertiser of her choice. Margaret Cittadini, of the 900 block of Reed Street, and Tina Ade, of the 2800 block of South 11th Street, each won $50 gift cards.
To the Editor: Schools are not meant to be playgrounds, schools are for learning. Schools are meant for molding a place for creation and preparation to be the best and finest in order to cope in the huge experience and adventure that await them. And when students rebel, the whole process becomes a useless waste of time, and instead these same students become the stain of disruption that hinders all those who want to learn and to succeed.
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