Mayor Emanuel, DSS Announce ‘Pitch In Chicago’ Community Clean Up
Chicagoans Invited to ‘Pitch In’ on August 23 to Clean Neighborhoods in Preparation for School Year
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) Commissioner Charles Williams today announced a citywide community day of service called “Pitch In Chicago.” Residents are invited to participate in the event on August 23 as part of the One Good Deed Chicago program to help provide safe and clean neighborhoods across Chicago.
“With the school year right around the corner, residents all across the City can help our kids start the school year right by cleaning and revitalizing our neighborhoods and shared spaces,” said Mayor Emanuel. “More than 2,000 young people volunteered to clean five City parks last week, setting an excellent example that community groups in every neighborhood can follow to keep our communities safe and clean.”
Through the “Pitch In Chicago” day of service, Mayor Emanuel and DSS are calling on neighbors and school communities to team up and clean their neighborhoods. Communities can help get the school year started off right by volunteering to clean parkways, curb lanes, sidewalks and vacant lots on routes to and from schools, school grounds or other areas near schools, like parks.
“Pitch In Chicago is a great opportunity for residents to come together to help clean and beautify their communities, especially for back to school,” said DSS Commissioner Williams. “By joining with your neighbors and school community for just a few hours to collect litter, remove weeds or clean a vacant lot, Chicagoans can help revitalize their neighborhood and their city.”
To participate in the citywide ‘Pitch In Chicago’, call 3-1-1 to register your community group or find a community group to join. The City will provide community organizations with brooms, rakes, shovels and bags. Community cleaning supplies can be picked up at Streets and Sanitation Refuse Division Offices starting Thursday, August 21. JewelOsco will provide plastic trash bags to help with clean-up efforts.
All community groups must register with 3-1-1 by Friday, August 15, 2014. To learn more about ‘Pitch In Chicago’ visit, www.cityofchicago.org/dss
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