Five years ago, Preston Ross III was one of two people at his first cleanup. Now, he and The Great Raleigh Cleanup have picked up over a quarter million pounds of litter from Raleigh parks, streets, shopping centers, and watersheds, and it’s time to celebrate half a decade of keeping Raleigh tidy.
Preston + his crews have found everything from an abandoned and empty ATM machine, fake hundred dollar bills, and bottle caps that “grow wild” in NC, according to Preston. But more than that, his volunteers have found community, and most cleanups include 80-85% return volunteers. Plus, partnerships with everyone from Activate Good to NC State football keep garnering more litter pickers.
When we first met Preston two and a half years ago, his cleanup crews had picked up 90,000 pounds of litter with over 800 volunteers. Today, that number has grown into the thousands, showing just how far the movement has come.
Don’t miss the birthday party
Join us + the whole Great Raleigh Cleanup Crew on Saturday, Oct. 18 for a Birthday Bash at Coastal Credit Union Music Park’s VIP club, The Backyard. Kick things off with a cleanup around the music venue, and then celebrate five years of cleanups with DJ Handsome Robb, an eco-friendly raffle, and plenty of community fun.
