It was just supposed to be something to do… now its so much more!
2020 was a hell of a year. In February I lost my mother to cancer, and a month later, COVID changed the world as we knew it. But as an introvert and only child, I thought staying inside and away from people would be easy. After a few months, even I wanted to go outside. But when I did, the city I moved to 20 years ago no longer looked the same. There was litter everywhere.
I felt compelled to act. I figured cleaning up an area one time would solve the problem, and I’d move on to the next. How naive! On October 17, 2020, I posted our first event on meetup.com thinking maybe it would become maybe a once-a-month hobby. Maybe with 3 to 4 volunteers - if I was lucky. Four years later, with more than 150,000 pounds of litter removed, nearly 2,000 volunteers, 300+ cleanups, 50+ landfill diversions, partnerships, Amy and Saurabh having a baby, and of yeah, this Workforce thing, I never saw it coming.
But we are just getting rolling. There’s still so much more ahead. I’m proud of what we’ve done and excited for what’s to come. I hope you’ll be a part of it. - Preston
We got us
I was in a few different establishments yesterday—restaurants, offices, bottle shops, etc.—and every single one had some sort of drive going to support Western NC. Some had a little, some had a lot, but they were all trying to do what they can. It reminds us that people are so good. Sure, there are a few assholes, but the majority of us want the best for each other..
Even though the world can sometime feel sad, scary and divided, gestures like what we are seeing—people giving what they can, helping how they can—show that the spirit of generosity is alive. We're not perfect, but when push comes to shove, we try our best to help. It’s unfortunate it takes tragedy to remind us of this, but as we scramble to help our people out West, navigate the bullshit political noise of the next month and a half and deal with whatever else life decides to throws at us, remember: You are good. We are good. And we got us!
THE GOOD IN RALEIGH
Last week, a wonderful human named Brenda was provided breakfast from A Place at the Table, a pay what you can cafe. She earned income as a part of The Great Raleigh Cleanup’s Workforce program. She was gifted a pair of shoes and socks by a generous resident. And at the end of her shift, she received a bag of hygiene products to sustain her for 30 days, provided by The No Woman, No Girl Initiative. This all occurred in the same day!
If anyone needs a reminder of what kindness and community look like, tell them to look at Raleigh. - Preston
Last Thursdays: A Special Day for the Workforce
The Last Thursday of each month is a special day for our Workforce. It’s the day that, thanks to the generosity of our monthly donors, we can hire more than the four workers supported by our City of Raleigh contract, allowing us to expand our environmental and social impact.
The most recent Last Thursday was particularly meaningful. After our seven workers cleared away over 200 pounds of litter, we passed out clothes and hygiene packs that had been donated by generous members of our community.
We ended the day by sharing pizza, enjoying a moment of camaraderie and appreciation after all the hard work. The clothes, hygiene packs, and pizza were more than just gestures; they bring a sense of dignity and belonging to our workers, reminding them that their efforts and well-being truly matter to the community. But none of this would be possible without you, our amazing community. We’re always accepting clothing donations to continue aiding those who need it most. Your support makes this all possible!