April 29, 2004

Every litter bit helps

By Jeanne C. Lewis
Staff Writer

We will work…to make sure that San Jose’s streets and neighborhoods are free of litter —Mayor Ron Gonzalez

The third annual Great America Pick-up at the new Vineland Branch Library was a rousing success this last Saturday. Twice the number of confirmed volunteers attended bright and early to receive bags, gloves, trash pickup sticks and most important, bright orange vests. They were given safety instructions and an area designated as most in need of cleanup.

Vice Mayor Pat Dando supplied the Starbuck’s coffee and cakes for energy for the early morning risers, and greeting the 40 volunteers were Rick Stanton, anti-litter supervisor, and Denelle Fedor, legislative assistant of Vice Mayor Pat Dando.

Three areas in District 10 were decided to be most in need of cleanup: Monterey Road between Capital Expressway and Branham Lane, the Hoffman and Via Monte area and Blossom Hill Boulevard between Meridian and Pioneer High School. The nine other districts of San Jose had their own cleanup crews going out to other assigned streets, lots and parks. The one-day event coincides with this year’s Earth Day celebration, but cleanup goes on year round. The event includes city, corporate and government partnerships with the volunteers making the effort possible.

“Usually about 500 people show up today [for the Great America Pick-up],” said Rick Stanton at the early morning check-in. “But there are year round opportunities for the public to help.”

Bud Courteny is one of those people. He has a 12 –square-mile area he cleans up, visiting rotating sites each month to pick up litter and remove graffiti. He is also adamant about eliminating old garage sale signs that people leave on signposts and trees after the sale day.

“I usually help clean up parks,” said Kitty Elvin, picking up debris at the Hoffman and Via Monte area with her 13-year-old daughter Anne. “This is the first time I’ve been in an urban area.”

Edward Chaparro, a six-year employee with the city of San Jose Anti-Graffiti Program, registered the volunteers and reported that there is less litter in the areas than last year, but it is a constant vigil.

Read and Kathy Yeadon were first timers at the Great America Pick-up, though they have volunteered in other cities’ cleanup events. They signed up through their church, South Valley Christian Church, and were excited to participate in the city’s effort to keep San Jose beautiful.

“It is a main priority for Pat to keep the city beautiful and litter-free,” said Denelle Fedor, legislative assistant for Vice Mayor Dando’s office. ”Pat’s vision is not just for District 10 but for the whole city [to be beautiful]. And it takes the whole community to be involved.”

Afterwards, the hungry and tired volunteers were invited to a free lunch at Cathedral of Faith to celebrate a job well done. There’s something about volunteering that brings out the best in people. And a cleaner city.

For more information on volunteering for Adopt a Park, Street, Highway or Block call the City of San Jose at 277-4000.