Step Up, Pick Up winners announced

FLINT, Michigan — Communities First, Inc., Keep Genesee County Beautiful, and Flint Neighborhoods United partnered to host a citywide litter cleanup, “Step Up, Pick Up,” in October. The event engaged community groups in projects to beautify Flint, with prizes prizes awarded to individuals and neighborhood associations.

In total, 49 people volunteered 87 hours and picked up 3,475 pounds of litter.

Winning neighborhood groups were:

• 1st Prize – $1,000 – Mott Park Neighborhood Association 
• 2nd Prize – $500 – Glendale Hills Neighborhood Association 
• 3rd Prize – $250 – Sarvis Park Neighborhood Association

Honorable Mentions that received $500 in-kind towards event or activity planning assistance from Communities First or towards a community garden from Keep Genesee County Beautiful were Friends of Hasselbring Park and Rollingwood Issues.

There were also 11 individuals recognized as “Litter Champions” who work all year to ensure litter is cleaned up along city corridors and in neighborhoods. Litter Champions were nominated by community members. 

2020 Litter Champions are: 

• Patrick Schaefer 
• Frank Charles Duverney 
• Sharon Bradley 
• Bonnie Grass 
• Ivan Dawson 
• Reginald Bond 
• Scott Schiepek 
• Quincy Murphy 
• Mary Coe Ryan 
• Iral Leavitt 
• Ladel Lewis 

Organizers plan to make Step Up, Pick Up bigger next year, with more prizes and recognition in the spring and fall.