Lots of support shown to Essex-wide clean-up

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

The Town of Essex partnered with the Rotary Club to host the annual Community Clean-Up on Saturday morning.

Residents were urged to show up at one of the predetermined meeting spaces hosted across the municipality – one in each ward, including at the Heritage Garden Pavilion in Essex Centre, the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre, the McGregor Community Centre, and the Colchester Park Playground – to become part of the Essex Green Team.

The event was meant to help to spruce up the municipality after winter snow has melted.

Volunteers were able to meet with Town of Essex reps at the meeting locations, where they were handed a map, garbage bags, and other supplies before spreading out to gather as much debris and litter as possible.

Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley and Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais greeted volunteers at the Essex Centre location, before heading out to collect trash.

  McGuire-Blais thanked everyone for rolling up their sleeves to help out, especially since this year’s clean-up was hosted on a day with great spring weather to be outside.

“It is inspiring to see so many residents come together for the clean-up,” she said.

As a sign of appreciation, all volunteers across the municipality were provided with a free lunch, after participating in the two-hour clean-up event, back at their meeting place.

Town of Essex staff then spent some time picking-up the filled garbage bags, helping to make the event as much of a success as possible.