Reduce - Reuse - Recylce

Saturday we took part in The Great American Cleanup here in Toledo, and today is Earth Day.

A group of us spent time Saturday morning picking up trash in an alley a few blocks away from the Family Promise Day Center. We filled many garbage bags, and hauled large items (abandoned car doors, tires) to the corner for pick-up. It was a beautiful day - and good work to do.

A woman came out of her home - a home that borders the alley - and asked if we were volunteers from 4H. I affirmed that we were volunteers, but not from 4H. She was disappointed. I am not sure why! I told her what we were doing and why we were there, and invited her to join us. She quickly went back into the house. I did not see her again.

The volunteers who were working with me were mostly homeless clients from our shelter. They were not complaining about the work and did a good job. They were proud of the work they accomplished. I was astounded by the situation. A woman - with a home - watching homeless people clean up her neighborhood.

Really makes you stop and think!