Winter Bonnie

IN ALL THE EXCITEMENT of having our photograph taken with Bonnie the Birch, our Adopt-a-Block mascot, it caused me to make a short movie about her life, so far, in the winter months. As luck would have it, we got a beautiful covering of snow which hides the trash for a short while.

Bonnie the Birch and her volunteers

Behold, Service is Joy

OUR NEW FRIEND, Ms. Sian Thomson, a reporter with Courier-Islander, took time from her busy schedule to recognize the Adopt-a-Block volunteers on Friday, December 14, 2012.

We gathered at Bonnie the Birch, our faithful mascot on Dogwood Street, and had our photo taken with her. We held on securely to our garbage tongs, some of us sported a Visi-Vest while others clutched garbage bags. It was sunny enough for some to wear sunglasses.

The newspaper posted a short-version tale of our passion for removing trash from the sidewalks and boulevards of Campbell River. Some volunteer enthusiasts have adopted empty lots and corner plots. Tidying up is what makes us feel good.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. 

I acted and behold, service was joy.

Rabindranath Tagore

Service can bring great joy.

Children Know Best

After a substantial clean up of a portion of the overlooked 3.5 acres located north of BC Ferries in Campbell River, the conductor for this Adopt-a-Block undertaking, Mark Myles, asked the children an important question.

“Why is it important to clean up?” he asked.

“To make Campbell River beautiful,” came one answer from a young child.

“So that we can live in a clean place,” said another.

“It’s good for the earth,” said one more.

The children grasped the concept immediately. Those who handled the garbage tongs scurried to the many pieces of trash and claimed each to be their responsibility. They gingerly placed their find into the garbage bags toted by their adult companions. The entire activity was a teaching and learning event. The children were taught to look after the earth and the parents learnt that their children are enthusiastic little service providers.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Real-life Service Providers

Children Know Best

A Humble Drop in a Very Large Bucket

At Your Service

WOW!  Fabulous things come to those who are service oriented.

Adopt-a-Block volunteers gathered on Friday, November 16, to celebrate a $60.00 donation and complimentary "Positive Tickets" from our local Royal Canadian Mounted Police, all thanks to the efforts of Constable Krista Wallis.

On that same afternoon, Mr. Drew Hadfield, Transportation Manager, City of Campbell River, delivered a generous supply of equipment including garbage tongs, Visi-Vests and work gloves.

The humble service-group of volunteers who remove trash from sidewalks, boulevards, empty lots and parking lots, alleyways, trails, and yards do so because they are motivated by helping others. By assisting others, volunteers develop a foundation for success and aspirations for themselves. Preparing unencumbered paths for others to tread are symbolic of providing a smooth avenue for their lives. The power of service changes us for the better.

I was once asked, "Why do you clean up others' messes?" 

"I provide service because it is acceptable as the highest form of worship to God," I said.

At Your Service

 

Shock and Amazement

IT WAS, AT FIRST, SHOCKING to view the condition of the three and half acres located just north of the British Columbia ferry terminal in Campbell River. Mr. Mark Myles of the local Converge Church brought wonderment and problem solving strategies to our on-site meeting.

“I’d like to bring my entire congregation to clean up this empty lot. I think we might start with this area,” Mark said.

He opened his arms wide to identify the starting point on the southeast corner of the property. We stared at the massive black boulders holding back the seawater. Some of them were laden with garbage that shook precariously as the wind tried to force the items into the ocean.

“You can see by all the shopping carts and discarded stuff that homeless people live here sometimes,” he said.

“You’re very kind, Mark, to adopt this unique area. Welcome to Adopt-a-Block,” I said.

He told me he would discuss with his friends a possible date for the clean up extravaganza. We left each other that day feeling upbeat and confident.

Three and a half acre clean up starting point

1300 S Island Highway ~ 3.5 Acre Site

At Your Service

THE DELIGHTFUL COUPLE of Gordie and Lori Ronson, hike an impressive three-kilometre round trip excursion from Merecroft Road to McPhedran Road seeking out trash. Their service is simple: remove the litter from their neighbourhood sidewalks and boulevards in Campbell River.

They use their garbage tongs to snap up the debris and toss it into a large waste bag. When they come upon a city-owned garbage can, they push the sack into it. From there, the careful couple cross the street and head home with a new bag retrieving what others have so carelessly discarded.

Their conversations include how it is that some of us are mindful of our surroundings and others don't seem to care.

If you witness the couple on their Adopt-a-Block trek, give them a wave or a honk from your vehicle or speak to them directly about their kind selfless service.

The Ronson Route

Ronsons at your service.

Constable Issues Tickets to Adopt-a-Block

TEARS OF JOY welled up in my eyes as Constable Krista Wallis of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police handed me Positive Tickets, enough for all the Adopt-a-Block volunteers.

“I saw your story in the local paper and thought that the adopt a block volunteers needed to be recognized,” she said.

Krista met with my husband and I, to exchange ideas about the power of providing a service with no thought of receiving a reward and how satisfying it feels acting on simple intrinsic values. I could tell by the look in her eyes and her positive energy that she is a woman of steadfast strength.

We exchanged philosophies on how a clean city presents a fresh reflection of its citizens. We both wondered aloud how it is that some people choose to drop trash on the sidewalks and boulevards of our fine city and how others will pack large household items into a vehicle and toss them absently along trails on the city perimeter. None of us knew how to interpret that mindset.

Adopt-a-Block is blessed to have such a dynamic lady on our side.

Krista provides Positive Tickets