Editor’s Note: In the hubbub of the day, getting everyone’s name on paper was challenging. BWNA apologizes to those whose name or full names aren’t included.
On the brisk-but-sunny morning of March 15, a BWNA-sponsored neighborhood and Fremont business district “spring cleaning” effort drew many helpers from the community to the plaza in front of Foot Traffic, which okayed the incursion.
Volunteers started things off with a hot cup of coffee and donuts donated by Pip’s, then picked up provided items necessary for their work to spruce things up, including bright yellow safety vests, gloves, graffiti-removal kits, trash bags, and trash “grabbers.” Adopt One Block donated some of the supplies.
Some Hollywood and Alameda residents joined in to help and get ideas for their own neighborhoods. John Steup, City of Portland’s graffiti abatement coordinator and a Beaumont-Wilshire neighbor, also joined in and brought city-provided graffiti removal kits and supplies.
Setting out to assigned areas in small teams, most volunteers spent about two hours on the mission. The result? Many bags of trash picked up, graffiti cleaned from various signs and surfaces — and lots of camaraderie and evident pride in the work accomplished.
BWNA event coordinator and board member Angela Frome was very pleased with the participation and the event as a whole.
“We live in a beautiful neighborhood and taking pride in it by keeping it clean serves all of us who call Beaumont-Wilshire home,” said Angela. “It was so nice to see so many interested folks rolling up their sleeves to help, including so many BWNA board members and people from other neighborhoods.”
Aware of the increase in need over the summer, BWNA is planning to hold two more clean-up events this year.
“In the warmer months, we see an increase in trash and graffiti,” said Angela,” so, the more hands the better.”
Look for more details about June and September cleanup events in the newsletter, on Instagram @bwnapdx, and in the monthly BWNA email to subscribers. Subscribe at BWNApdx.org.
Need Help with Graffiti Removal?
Contact the City of Portland at portland.gov/bps/graffiti/request-services
Want to Report Graffiti?
Call 311 or go to portland.gov/bps/graffiti/report-graffiti