LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE: VOLUNTEER CLEANUP GROUPS AROUNDLONG BEACH
- LB908
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Monique Garcia
Photos by Craig Van Sickle
“This is our neighborhood. This is your neighborhood… join us,” invites Cascia Lutz, volunteer lead with Clean Streets United, a volunteer-led community group.
We love to think of Long Beach as a big city with small-town vibes, and in many ways, that’s true. But with all its charm and energy, Long Beach is still a big city and sometimes needs a helping hand keeping it clean. That’s where our amazing volunteer neighborhood and beach cleanup groups come in!
“I got involved about four years ago, and what amazes me is that the people who truly care are always the same ones showing up. Whether it’s a pop-up or a regular cleanup, people care—and that’s what makes the difference,” shares Cascia.
After retiring, Cascia found a new sense of purpose in neighborhood Clean Streets cleanups. She got involved four years ago this March, inspired by her good friend Donna Bergeron-Birge, who encouraged her to help launch cleanup efforts in another neighborhood. Through the work, Cascia built up a community by removing trash and set out to widen the reach of what she calls the “Upstream Dream Team,” emphasizing that cleaner streets don’t just benefit neighborhoods, they also protect local waterways and the ocean!
If you’d like to join a local cleanup, check out the list of Long Beach Cleanup Organizations. Other than bringing yourself and a positive attitude, not much more is needed! All of these cleanup organizations provide the necessary equipment and supplies. These neighborhood cleanups are a chance to build your community up and find people who want to do the same. Every person really makes a difference.
Or start your own!
The city provides Long Beach citizens the tools and resources to keep our city clean. If your neighborhood association or local organization is not involved, you can suggest it. The online form can be found on the city’s government website under the recycling services: longbeach.gov/lbrecycles (Long Beach Recycles » Refuse » Illegal Dumping » Find or Organize a Clean-Up Form)
ONGOING CLEANUPS AROUND THE 908!
Alamitos Beach Cleanup Where: Alamitos Beach; Look for the shade tent at the southeast end of parking lot, near bike path and café When: Every fourth Sunday of the month from 10am to 11am Email: alamitosbeachcleanup@gmail.com AOC7 Organization Where: Locations rotate so check AOC7 website or Facebook page. When: Saturdays at 8:30am to 10:30am Web: aoc7neighborhood.com Bixby Highland Clean Streets Where: Orange Park or Bixby Knolls Christian Church When: Saturdays from 8:30am to 9:30am Search Bixby Highland Clean Streets on Facebook California Heights Neighborhood Association Where: Corner of Lime and Wardlow in parking lot on north side of Wardlow When: Every Saturday morning from 8am to 9am; and every Thursday from 8am to 9am Web: calheights.org IG: @cleanstreetscalheights El Dorado Park Cleanup Where: Meet at the parking lot on the left just past El Dorado Frontier in Area III When: Every fourth Saturday from 9am to 10am Web: longbeach.gov/park (Menu » Park and Facilities » El Dorado Nature Center » Volunteer Opportunities) Justin Rudd’s 30-minute Beach Cleanup Where: Ocean Blvd and Granada Ave When: Every third Saturday of the month at 9:30am Web: justinrudd.com/beachcleanup  | Los Cerritos / Bixby Knolls Clean Streets Where: Locations vary so make sure to check their Facebook page! When: Every Sunday from 8am to 9am Search Los Cerritos/Bixby Knolls Clean Streets on Facebook North Long Beach Clean Streets Where: 52nd & Orange Ave on the Northeast corner When: Every 1st Saturday from 8:30am to 9:30am Email: district5@longbeach.gov Pull Together Greenbelt Cleanup Where: The Red Car Greenbelt on 4th and Park Ave When: Last Saturday of every month at 9am to 11am Web: mybelmontheights.org Ridgewood / Bixby Knolls Clean Streets Where: Corner of San Antonio and Orange Ave, in the small park next to Brite Spot. When: Every second and fourth Saturday from 8:30am to 9:30am Search Ridgewood/Bixby Knolls Clean Streets on Facebook Surfrider Foundation Where: At Belmont Pier on the corner of Ocean and 39th When: First Saturday of every month from 10am to 12pm IG: @lbsurfrider Wetland Warrior Cleanup at Jack Dunster Reserve Where: Meet near the bike racks along Appian Way When: 3rd Saturday of the month from 10am to 12pm Email: Sustainability@longbeach.gov Zaferia Heights Neighborhood Cleanup Where: At Orizaba Park at 14th Street and Orizaba Avenue When: Every fourth Saturday of the month from 8am to 12pm Web: zaferia.org/events Email: Contact Casey Carver to volunteer at CaseyCar@Reagan.com |
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