Jun 2, 2014 5 min read sanitation

Scenes From Weekend Cleanup Events

church avenue bid fdc cleanup day by william bredbeck

A big thank you to all the neighbors who took part in various local cleanup and beautification events this weekend, and to those who sent in photos! We received some great snaps from William Bredbeck (who captured the scene above), Donald Loggins, Nathan Thompson, and Lauren Elvers Collins of the Church Avenue BID.

church avenue bid fdc cleanup day by lauren elvers collins

Lauren says about 45 people took part in Saturday’s Church Avenue cleaning–including the volunteers above, who painted over graffiti on the gates of Downtown Natural Market. Trash was also cleared from the Flatbush Reformed Church yard and Sustainable Flatbush’s garden on church grounds, and Lauren says some side streets were even attended to.

On E 16th Street, she says, “Ameer, Gayle, and friends [above] took it upon themselves to recruit neighbors for today’s cleanup with the Church Avenue BID and FDC, find out who owned the wall they’re painting and get permission to paint it, and come to pick up supplies from the BID’s table this morning. When we didn’t have enough paint for the whole wall, they even made a run to Lowe’s to get more to make sure they finished the job!”

fdc cleanup day graffiti painting via fdconline

Volunteers also retouched local light poles and mailboxes (both photos via FDCOnline).

William Bredbeck’s daughter continued her hot streak from last year, picking up 11 cents (and a few bottle caps along the way). Nice work!

church avenue bid fdc cleanup day kids by william bredbeck

Nathan Thompson sent in the photos below. He says between the 70th Precinct Explorers…

70th Precinct Exporers by Nathan Thompson

… Church Avenue BID and FDC staff and volunteers including Ronette Cox, Lauren Collins, and Robin Redmond…

BID Staff on the street cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

BID Volunteers cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Lauren Robin cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

East 17th volunteers cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

… Helping Hands volunteers…

Helping Hand FDC crew cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

… local students…

… and other neighbors, he counted over 100 people who turned out to help.

“With the divisive nature of some of the graffiti of late, it was refreshing to be reminded there is plenty we can all agree on,” says Nathan. “And I think we showed ’em a good time afterwards.”

lunch line cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

That good time included a relaxing BBQ and get together…

nice Lunch moment cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

magic table cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

rest period cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

volunteers cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Helping hands cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

a few of the PS 217 kids cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

volunteer family cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

… and a magic show that kept the crowd in suspense!

Magic Laugh moment cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Magic Kids cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

watching the show cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Heroic volunteer cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

watching show cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

volunteer table cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

(Or maybe it was just exhaustion from working hard to earn those 11 cents.)

lunch line excitement cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Looks like the magic tricks paid off in the end. Below is William’s shot of The Great Nathan in action.

church avenue bid fdc cleanup day bbq nathan thompson magic by william bredbeck

Magic 8 Sofi and Griffin magic assists cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

There was even an appearance by a dragon.

Magic Dragon passed around cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Magic dragon touch cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

(The expressions in this picture!)

rain didnt stop the party cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Not even a little rain could stop the mighty (and mighty hungry) volunteers.

FDC adults cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Ditmas number 1 group cleanup day by Nathan Thompson

Nathan says the positivity surrounding the day’s event was a powerful force.

e 9th street cleanup kids by donald loggins

A little farther southwest, neighbors including Donald Loggins were hard at work cleaning and greening E 9th Street.

e 9th street cleanup day maria newsom by donald loggins

Kudos to Maria Newsom, the Church Avenue BID, the FDC, event sponsors, and all of the volunteers who turned out to make our area an even lovelier place! If you have any photos of cleanups this weekend, send them to editor@ditmasparkcorner.com and we’ll add them to the post.