It was one heckuva turnout.
A total of 103 volunteers synced up at the old Southside Elementary School on Saturday morning, cleaning up the property and coming together for a very good cause.
The Community Cleanup Service was organized by Arlene Simmons, the new City Council member from District 2. Southside Elementary, home of the Koala-ty Kids, closed 31 years ago, and the property eventually was taken over by New Beginnings Church of Christ.
In recent years, however, the rear of the property has turned into a makeshift trash dump. Prior to Saturday’s cleanup, the backside of the building was a maze of weeds, trash and old construction materials.
The cleanup crew went straight to work, filling up two roll-off dumpsters trucked in by Ryland Environmental within a matter of hours. Volunteers also weeded and cut back tree limbs.
Most community cleanups around Baldwin County skew older and female. The one on Saturday, however, was well represented by young men. Many of the young men were members of StriveRight, a Maconbased non-profit with a strong presence in Milledgeville. StriveRight “strives to bridge the gaps and provide opportunities for individuals who face systemic barriers.”
“It was great to see,” said Simmons. “Working in the community, I quickly noticed that the younger generation isn’t as enthusiastic about being part of the community, especially young males. I cannot say enough positive things about StriveRight and the things that they are doing.” Several other nonprofits helped out on Saturday. Also on hand were representatives from Northridge Christian Church, Baldwin County Fire Rescue, Georgia Military College and Georgia College & State University.
Simmons has hit the ground running since being sworn into office two months ago. Three more Community Cleanup Service days are planned for this year, one per quarter. Simmons was born in Milledgeville and grew up in the Milledgeville Manor and the Graham Homes/ Boddie projects. Like many of Milledgeville’s best and brightest young people, she moved away for college, eventually becoming a nurse and a mother and settling down in New York City. Unlike most others, however, Simmons ultimately came back home, relocating to Milledgeville six years ago.
“There is so much more we can do,” she said. “I just look forward to being part of the solution.”