On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, around 20 volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation came together with 30 corporate volunteers from BlackRock and the New York Department of Sanitation to clean Tompkins Square Park. The 10.5-acre park, located in the heart of New York City’s East Village, is described as the perfect centerpiece for its eclectic neighborhood. The volunteers worked with the determination to share the love of mother with their local community.

Working for Our Community

Despite their busy work schedules, the WeLoveU volunteers and BlackRock employees used volunteer time off (VTO) to beautify Tompkins Square Park. With shovels, brooms, garbage bags, and a game plan, the participants were divided into two teams and worked diligently until the end. The volunteers could remove litter and debris such as glass, plastic bottles and bags, which were scattered throughout the park. Near the entrance, residents stopped by to learn more about the WeLoveU Foundation through educational panels. A corporate volunteer said, “I wanted to spend time with teammates outside of work and help the community. It felt good to do good, and it was a couple of hours well spent.” In total, the volunteers removed 35 bags of litter and trash in under two hours.

A Few Encouraging Words

The East Village residents were not the only ones moved by the volunteer’s passion for cleaning. Irak Cehonski, the deputy chief of staff for Council Member Carlina River, joined the cleanup. He expressed his gratitude saying, “It’s a help that words cannot describe, or there’s not enough money to pay for it. The neighborhood, the office, and the councilwoman thank you for coming here.” The volunteers also received a surprise visit from Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and his Chief of Staff John Blasco, who was touched by the energy and passion of the participants.

This event was carried out under WeLoveU’s Clean WORLD Movement — a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection in the face of climate change.

“There is overwhelming research that shows the harmful effects of litter and illegal dumping on our environment,” explained Duane Ford, executive director of WeLoveU. “Today’s cleanup is our boots-on-the-ground approach to properly dispose of plastic waste before it ends up in our waterways and oceans. Cleaning the park in unity is also a great way to create a more pleasant and welcoming environment for our neighbors.”