Pontiac Prepares for 3rd City-wide Community Clean-up

PONTIAC, MI (April 3, 2024) – The City of Pontiac is collaborating with the Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership and other local organizations once again to conduct the City-wide Community Clean-up. This event kicks off on Earth Day, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to beautify downtown Pontiac, local parks, and neighborhoods. The City welcomes all volunteers who want to participate.

“We’re excited to once again work with non-profits, local businesses, and countless volunteers to launch this year’s annual spring cleanup,” said Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “The City-wide Community Clean-up has been a vital part of our efforts to beautify our neighborhoods and local parks for many years. As we celebrate Earth Day, we welcome anyone who wants to join this initiative and help maintain a clean environment for our Pontiac residents."

The grass roots event began in 2022 when city officials, residents, and community members volunteered to restore city cleanliness, spruce up parks, and prepare green spaces for summer recreational activities. The following year was also a success with over 200 volunteers. The City capitalized on that momentum with festive events in local parks including Spring Bash, Family Fun Night, Summer Bash, Music in the Parks, and more thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Pontiac Youth Recreation and Parks Division.

This year the community volunteers will assist with:

· Trash removal

· Raking leaves

· Liming and cutting overgrowth

· Restoring shorelines and clearing overgrowth

· Spreading mulch

· Removing Graffiti

· Painting playgrounds, ball courts, buildings, etc

· Planting flowerbeds

· Repairing park amenities

“Neighborhoods are more than just a collection of houses; they are vibrant communities where families and individuals are interconnected and engaged,” said Councilwoman Kathalee James, District 4.

“I encourage everyone in the city to participate actively. Together, we can all work together to build one community!”

Volunteers receive a free t-shirt and will be supplied trash bags, gloves, trash-pickers, shovels, rakes, and other tools to clean their designated areas. Dumpsters will also be placed in each district for residents to dispose of waste and debris. City-wide Community Clean-up will end with a celebration in July to thank the volunteers and partner organization for their efforts. It will include delicious food, music, and plenty of fun activities.

Partners in the program include—Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership, Oakland County, Dare to Dream Pontiac, General Motors, Oakland University, United Wholesale Mortgage, Amazon, Friends of Murphy Park, Trinity Health, 180 Church, Friends of Pontiac Parks, St. Joseph Hospital, and Main Street Pontiac. Volunteers and organizations may sign up even after the April 22 launch.

Kick off location will be at the vacant parking lot next to LBI Limited (58 W. Huron St., Pontiac) corner of W. Huron St. and Woodward Ave). Anyone interested in volunteering can register at- https://tinyurl.com/2024CityCleanupReg