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Carrick Citizens Get Litter Revenge

They had sweaty faces and tired feet. Some were dirty, others had sore backs, a few were bloodied. All had inner smiles that burst forth with such blinding brilliance, that people passing by stopped to get involved. It was their moment, these citizen volunteers, who took hands-on action against the litter problem in Carrick. Thanks to them, Brownsville Road, from one end of Carrick to the other, stood litter free. Carrick, for the time being, was a better place. It was a beautiful thing.

By any measure, the Clean-Up Carrick Event was a huge success. “The turn-out was far more than we imagined,” said Dawn Harder, the new, high-voltage, Carrick Litter Steward and head of the Carrick Litter Patrol. “Some people have been doing this for many years, others were first timers, but it’s just awesome how they all care about their community. The enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s wonderful how people are finding each other. Strangers are coming up to me and telling me they’ve been picking up (litter) for a long time and never knew there was anybody else doing this,” she added.

The volunteer group was unintentionally, yet impressively, diverse: kindergartners, teenagers, octogenarians, college students, white collars, blue collars, and rumors of a Republican. They came together putting all division aside for the singular and common goal of making our neighborhood a better place. “Who you are doesn’t matter. Everyone is welcome. If you live in Carrick, then Carrick is your home, it belongs to you. What you do or don’t do impacts those around you, for better or worse,
we are all responsible for our community. What matters is that we care about the litter,” said Dawn.

Dawn has ambitious, yet simple goals. “First, we want to create a greater awareness of the periodic Clean-up Events, so that more people are better informed about what’s happening when. We have started an email list and put up a simple website to aid that effort. Second, we are here to provide a network for, and give recognition to, the people who are already picking up litter. We have set up an Adopt a Block system for our community. The Carrick Adopt a Block is a simple, back to the basics, approach to the litter problem. All we need are 3-5 volunteer Custodians for each block, who will promise to clean a designated area, as they are able. Every night while walking your dog and you see some litter, pick it up. Once a week you want to clean, great, or few times a month or several days a year, any promise is welcome. The efforts of all the custodians combined will keep our streets clean year round. It’s the ABC’s of cleaning. Starting with the Adopt a Block Custodian. Third, we want to educate. Educate our community about all the options and resources available for recycling, hard to dispose items and bulk item assistance. And educate our children about littering and it’s environmental impact. And function as an outreach to schools and businesses. Basically, promote, inspire, and co-ordinate anti-litter efforts to create a better Carrick. Fourth, we are a clearinghouse for ideas. Tell me what I can do to help you, make things better.
“Together we can make a difference,” she says smiling.

Dawn can be reached at nuvoyinzer2@verizon.net or 412-819-0889. There is also a website: www.carricklitterpatrol.com with info. If you want to participate in future Clean-UP events, if you are already picking up on your own, if you have problem areas to report, or just want to voice your concerns about litter, contact Dawn, she can help. Currently, Adopt a Block Custodians who can be in charge of small sections of Carrick, are needed.

This past clean-up event, on April 19th, was a success. Litter was removed from not only Brownsville Road, but also: Nobles Lane, Colerain, the bottom of Agnew, the bottom of Madeline, part of Becks Run, and Spencer Streets. Bob Warnock and the CCAA cleaned Volunteers Field. Cindy Falls and her Students cleaned Carrick High School and surrounding area. Concord Elementary stashed the trash with Cindy Holland. And Pittsburgh Roosevelt’s 5th grade class lead by Mrs. Trimble and Mr. McGough collected 16 bags of trash from Brownsville Road and around their school.

“I want to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this all possible. Especially: the Carrick Community Council, the Carrick Business Association, The 29th ward democratic committee, The CPA’s, Cindy Falls, Ms. Barie, Cindy Holland, Pittsburgh Roosevelt, Bob Warnock (CCAA), John Rudiak, Richard King, T. J. Harris, Kathy Lucas, Dave Suchy, June, Tom and D. J. managers at Rite Aid, and Dave the manager at Foodland for their wonderful donations of bottle water and ice, and all the Volunteers who worked so hard,” Dawn exclaimed. Mark your calendars, our next major Carrick clean-up will be October , 10th and 11th.