Near West Side Love My Neighborhood Clean Up and Gathering

This past Saturday April 22nd, six of the seven Near West Side neighborhoods, welcomed a total of 120+ students volunteers from Marquette University. Near West Side Partners (NWSP), a nonprofit committed to the cleanliness of the neighborhood, provided coffee, garbage bags and gloves, and volunteers set out to collect as much debris as they could find. Afterward, (NWSP) hosted a gathering at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with a DJ Ryde, and barbecue cooked by Jeff McCloud of Grill and Cafe located in the Near West side at 2613 W State.

Each year for Earth Day, NWSP works with Kelly Walker to register multiple sites for the Marquette Hunger Clean-Up. Through registering NWSP is able get student volunteers out in the neighborhood connecting with residents and organizations to create a cleaner community by picking up on average 200 bags of garbage. NWSP also partners with Keeping Greater Milwaukee Beautiful(KGMB) to supply each neighborhood with garbage bags and gloves. All neighborhoods are also encouraged to register with KGMB to borrow equipment such as rakes, trash pickers and shovels. The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works- Sanitation Section also provided free dumpsters from 9:00 AM 4:00 PM at the request of neighborhood leaders.

Avenues West Clean Up Crew

Cold Spring Park resident Trudy Holyst and Marquette students

Historic Concordia residents, 3rd district Chaplins and Marquette students

Martin Drive resident Phyllis Reiter and Pat Mueller with Marquette students

Firehouse 28, Safe & Sound and Marquette students in Merrill Park

Miller Valley resident Gloria Lee and family with, Milwaukee Collegiate Academy, owner and employees of Always Towing and Marquette students

A Concordia family out cleaning

Marquette students

Residents filling a truck with debris

3rd District Chaplins talking to residents

Milwaukee Collegiate Academy student and Miller Valley resident Gloria Lee

Andrew, Lindsey and Barb cleaning in Avenues West

3rd District Chaplins, Norm McGee of Neighborhood House, Keith Stanley, Cold Spring Park residents Charlie Fox and Joyce Seiser

Jeff McCloud owner of Grill and Cafe with employee Redd barbecueing food for the gathering

Students and residents preparing to eat at the gathering

A Marquette student volunteered to help serve food_

Richard Lucas of Lucas Secuirty with food purchased for the gathering

Employee, Barb Scotty and Howard of Two Brothers Automotive

Lindsey, Darrian, and Bennie of Daddy's Soul Food

Keep it Green Keep it Green yard sign

Over 90 people were served hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, pork chops, chicken breast, chips and soda during the gathering. Those who attended the gathering left adorned with Near West Side t-shirts and yard signs in tow. We have many supporters to thank for making the gathering a successful end to a wonderful day. All attendees were appreciative of Richard Lucas of Lucas Security for purchasing the bulk of the food and drinks. Also a big thank you to the Near West Side businesses that sponsored this event, Howard from Two Brothers Automotive, Bennie Smith Jr of Daddy's Soul Food, and Bobby Singh from Kilbourn Kitchen!

Near West Side Partners will continue to partner with residents and neighborhood organization to do clean up through out the summer and keep the Near West Side beautiful for all as well as for our future generations!