By CHARLENE LOVETT
While every community has its challenges, those that overcome them have citizens who are engaged.
In an era when everyone seems to have more to do than hours in a day, finding time to make a difference is often a challenge in itself. So, a collaborative approach is often the best way to make the most impact, whether environmentally or culturally.
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, residents and organizations worked together to clean up the city.
The Conservation Commission collected four tires and 11 bags of trash at Ashley’s Boat Landing. The commisson was assisted by a neighbor in the area, who offered to deliver the tires to the Transfer Station.
Ward 2 team leaders, Councilor Pope and I, were joined by members of the Claremont-Sugar River Rotary Club and collected 18 bags of trash along Grissom Lane. Ward 3 team leaders, Councilors Stone and Zullo, led an effort to collect trash along Hewitt, Paddy Hollow and Windy Hill Roads. They were assisted by youths and young adults and, together, collected eight tires and filled a one ton dumpster with trash.
In one weekend, these groups filled 29 contractor bags and a one ton dumpster with trash and removed 12 tires from alongside roads. On Tire Day, residents disposed of 644 tires at the Transfer Station.
It was an amazing, collaborative accomplishment over a brief period of time. As we move into May, the clean-up projects will continue as residents and organizations work together to address other “hotspots” to improve the city’s appearance.
Ward 1 will be focusing on the Park Avenue, Mulberry and Bluff area on May 22, and all are invited to participate. If there is an area that you or an organization would like to address, please contact your City Council representative and we will work with the city administration to provide the appropriate support.
April is also the month dedicated to raising awareness of sexual assault. Turning Points Network is the organization leading the effort on this issue and is dedicated to helping victims of sexual abuse.
With an annual budget of $747,000 and more than 50 percent of funding coming from foundations, fundraising and revenue generated from the Changes Thrift Store, community engagement is critical to their operations.
On May 5, Turning Points will hold its annual fundraiser, the Steppin’ Up 5K walk/run. The goal is to raise $100,000. Collectively, we can help them reach that goal so that they can continue helping those who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.
If a 5K walk/run is not for you, please consider helping in other ways. Volunteers, working from home are needed to staff the crisis and support lines. They are also needed to work with survivors in Turning Points’ offices, as well as on committees or with the Green Dot program. If a retail environment is more attractive, volunteers are also needed at the Changes Thrift Store to help sort, tag and create window displays.
If your schedule limits your ability to donate time, please visit www.turningpointsnetwork.org for a current wish list.
Though the challenges we face may seem overwhelming at times, together we are making a difference.
Since Tire Day began three years ago, the number of tires collected annually at the Transfer Station has decreased significantly. Every year that Turning Points has held its Steppin’ Up fundraiser, it has increased the funds raised significantly.
It is evidence that this community understands the power of engagement.
Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont. Email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].
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