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

Duty-driven Rubbish Remover

SEVENTY-EIGHT, SEVENTY-NINE; I stopped counting. There was likely seven times that number of cigarette butts stranded along my adopted blocks between 4^th Avenue and 2^nd Avenue on Dogwood Street in Campbell River.

After nearly two years of performing my duty, I still get a great sense of satisfaction tidying up the sidewalks and boulevards in my neighbourhood. I head out the back door of my home with garbage tongs in one hand, a trash bucket in the other and work gloves on both so that I can pick up what the tool cannot.

On Sunday, October 28, 2012, I was humming along toward Bonnie, the tree I’ve adopted along my route, and behold she was standing beside a garbage can cover that someone had absently tossed her way. As I approached, I saw a white plastic bag and a discarded plastic tray that at one time held food of some kind. I shook my head and wondered how she could attract such junk. After clearing the rubbish I continued south and filled my bucket to capacity.

The City of Campbell River has sensibly placed a solid concrete garbage container on my beat so that my regular three buckets of trash can be deposited into it. Where there are humans, there is rubbish, which means that it’s necessary to have a garbage can to get rid of the litter. Refuse collectors are a city’s necessary investment.

Further along my circuit, I stood and stared for nearly a minute at a large pile of cigarette butts left behind by someone who chose to empty their over-filled car ashtray in my path. My initial feeling of disgust turned calmly into a feeling of responsibility. I picked up the butts in bunches and tossed them into my trash pail. I arrived home later, feeling great about my neighbourhood.

Find the things that don't belong

My neighbourhood in my mind's eye

Robin K's Zigzag Hike

  Robin Kaminski is our newest Adopt-a-Block volunteer. For years she’s been removing rubbish from the parking lots at Fisherman’s Wharf and the Heritage Maritime Museum in Campbell River. She has also claimed paths in that area.

Her straight-back, bend at the hips extended-arm pickup style is her preference as she zigzags from one area to another. She uses her body as a tool to retrieve what others have chosen to toss aside.

When you see Robin loading up her garbage bag in the parking lots, a minimum 990-metre trek, use your happy voice to thank her for the good work she does. Or, ask if you can join her.

"When you serve, you see life as whole. Service is the work of the soul."

 ~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Robin's Fisherman's Wharf in Campbell River, BC

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