Getting Ready for Cleanup Day

Tomorrow is our 3rd Annual Fruitland Heights Neighborhood Cleanup, and I couldn't be more excited.

The cleanup itself is only a few hours, but it's been weeks in the making—and so many neighbors have already pitched in to make it happen. Organizing a neighborhood cleanup takes many hours before anyone picks up a trash bag, but seeing neighbors pitch in makes every bit of it worthwhile.

First, a huge thank you to Kaylee Seh, the incredibly talented lettering artist from Trader Joe's, who hand-lettered our beautiful cleanup signs. Paul installed them throughout the neighborhood, and the best part is we'll be able to use them again for years to come.

To help spread the word, I designed flyers and delivered them around the neighborhood—twice! Along the way I also knocked on doors, met many of our neighbors, and collected contact information so we can keep everyone informed about neighborhood events and opportunities throughout the year. Every new conversation makes our community a little stronger.

On Thursday morning, I made the trip to the Keep Pinellas Beautiful offices in Largo to pick up all of the supplies for the cleanup. They once again came through with grabbers, bags, gloves, safety supplies—and this year they even gave us T-shirts for our volunteers!

Thursday evening was our first official work session:

tackling overgrown sidewalks.

While canvassing the neighborhood over the past few weeks, I kept a Google map of places where vegetation had overtaken the sidewalks.

Armed with loppers, trimmers, saws, and plenty of determination, Sam, Mario, Paul, and I headed out to reclaim those walkways.

We cleared a tremendous amount of overgrowth and created brush piles throughout the neighborhood that we'll haul away together during Saturday's cleanup. It already feels like the neighborhood is opening back up.

Tomorrow is when we bring it all together.

Whether you can stay for the whole morning or just stop by for a little while, every pair of hands makes a difference. Besides making Fruitland Heights cleaner and more welcoming, it's one of the best opportunities all year to meet your neighbors and spend a morning working toward something we all share.

Thank you to everyone who's already helped—and to everyone joining us tomorrow.

See you Saturday!

Fruitland Heights Neighborhood Cleanup

Saturday8:00–11:00 AM

Meet at 21st Ave S & 18th St

Let's make this our best cleanup yet!