It is amazing to look back and realize that Earth Day, April 22nd, marked the first anniversary of the LUN Litter Free Lowry program. To celebrate this milestone, members of our Clean Team gathered at the Montclair Rec Center to share some pizza and swap “trash stories.”

We had about 25 people in attendance, including 10 dedicated volunteers, most of whom have been with us since day one. Currently, we have grown to about 30 volunteers covering over 40 routes throughout Lowry.

The stories shared were both hilarious and heartening. We talked about the weirdest and most disgusting finds, but also the interactions with neighbors. Believe it or not, some people actually asked our volunteers, “When do you get out?” assuming they were performing court-ordered community service! They couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea that someone would pick up trash simply as a good deed.

The impact, however, is undeniable. This effort has been infectious – neighbors who weren’t involved are now cleaning up their own street fronts. And for those who think it’s a thankless job, one of our volunteers actually found two $100 bills! Who says picking up trash doesn’t pay?

Special Recognitions

We want to highlight a few individuals who have gone above and beyond:

• Dwight Willis: The true spark for this entire movement. Dwight started cleaning up around Alton Way five years ago. He was the inspiration and the “instigator” who asked LUN to formalize this program. Dwight and Becky are still out there every day keeping their corner of the neighborhood pristine.
• Dan Anderson: Dan handles a massive route from 11th Ave down Yosemite to the traffic circle, and west Lowry Boulevard, past the Great Lawn. When he isn’t cleaning our streets, Dan is running the Lowry Food Bank distribution, serving 50–70 families every month.
• Mark DeSarro: Mark manages a very large route in Southwest Lowry(Alameda to Lowry Blvd and Quebec to Fairmont). After Mark complained about litter around Lowry Elementary, a partnership was formed. 
• Thanks to Olivia Merrell and Courtney Riordon (the school’s Community Relations lead), we now have the 4th Grade “Trash Busters team.” Equipped with yellow safety vests and pickers, they are learning the value of neighborhood pride, and Mark says the improvement has been huge. Guess what they yell when they pick up a piece of trash? “Trash Busters!”
• Tom Oury: Tom took on the “battle zone”—a giant route on the south side of 11th Ave from Unita to Yosemite. When he started, he was hauling out 5 bags of trash a week. His persistence changed the culture of that street; even the local 7-Eleven is keeping its lot cleaner now.

The best part of this program is how it changes your perspective. Once you become aware, it is nearly impossible to walk past a piece of litter without picking it up. Whether you’re in the Safeway parking lot or visiting family in San Francisco, once you’re a part of the Clean Team, you just “gotta do it.”

Thank you to everyone who makes Lowry a cleaner, prouder place to live!