From Litter to Laughter

You may have heard the story of Amy and Saurabh, who met at a cleanup, fell in love, and are now parents to Baby Zoya. Or perhaps Jill and Mel, who connected through TGRC and became fast friends. I've also forged my own friendships, like with Tylor and Rick. But what truly caught me off guard was the bond I'd form with two particular guys.

Working alongside Johnny and Dave has transformed routine litter cleanups into experiences full of camaraderie and laughter. I met them both through our Workforce program, and they quickly stood out. Johnny, who seems to know everyone in Raleigh (I swear), is usually quiet but knows just when to crack a joke. Then there’s Dave, the live wire—a man in his 60s with the unstoppable energy of a teenager.

Nowadays, it’s rare to find me without one or both of them at my side. They do more than just help lighten the workload; they brighten my entire day. We're just a couple of guys rolling around, cleaning out streams, scrapping metal, telling jokes and of course, grabbing a sandwich at the Lunch Box Deli.

We’ve created countless memories in our time together, but they're all sure to endure. Especially that time Dave's energy had us laughing so hard I almost wrecked the truck.

You won't hear them complain about their circumstances, some of which many would find daunting. Instead, you'll see them lacing up their boots, smiles on their faces, ready to see which of us will throw the next verbal jab. They say insults are a language of intimacy among men.

This journey has reminded me that although I abhor litter and dream of eradicating it from the earth, it has ironically been the catalyst for some of the coolest moments of my life. - Preston