Superlatives cannot begin to describe the response to our call for volunteers to participate in the Mayor’s Clean & Green Program that took place on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The infectious enthusiasm of the participants, coupled with the hard work they expended in cleaning up the vacant properties along the east side of Cicero Avenue from the Stevenson Expressway to 44th Street, was truly inspiring. .
No other southwest side civic group organized such an event and several of our members that live in the “Sleepy Hollow” section of Archer Heights not only eagerly participated, but also said they were thrilled the AHCA coordinated this endeavor. Unfortunately, this wonderful grass-roots accomplishment was not picked up by any news media. So we publish it here.
As originally planned, the goal of the project was to start with the area of the concrete pad left over from the demolished gas station that once stood on the northeast corner of 43rd and Cicero; then move south to 44th Street, cleaning the papers, bottles, cans, plastic, wood and other debris that have accumulated on these lots over several years. We had slightly over 30 neighborhood volunteers that included adults, teens and a few grammar school children, which was very heartening.
Truly a community effort
And then, a friend of one of our members, John Marusarz of Addiction Recovery Services Inc., brought his fifteen person “army” of volunteers and the project took on a significantly larger scope. Not only were debris removed from the lots, but also the existing grown trees were trimmed and all of the tree saplings growing between the chain link fence that borders the Cicero/Keating alley were cut down. This effort made the area open, helping to reduce crime by eliminating lots of hiding places.
It was also pointed out that the collapsed sections of chain link fence lying on parts of the property would not only be difficult and/or dangerous to clean, but also would only attract and capture more debris after the cleanup was done. Undaunted by this situation, John’s “army” had power tools and attacked the problem by cutting the collapsed sections of fence in to pieces which in turn made it significantly easier for the volunteers to stack in plies for pick up. John also provided all of the participants with hot coffee and granola bars for a pick-me-up snack. We cannot thank John and his “army” enough for all of their hard work.
John and his army consisted of Pawel Budz, Kevin Casey, Janus Galdyn, Marek Kadziszewski, Tomasz Kijek, Stepha Kovalik, Tomek Krol, Chris Las, Margaret Las, Walter Lobas, Stanislaw Marusarz, Andrez Mucha, Jozef Mucha and Sebastian Pantoja.
Our civic association volunteers include the following: Raquel Aguinaga-Martinez and her children Uriel (UIC College Prep High School) Gael and Ismael (Academy for Global Citizenship), Mary “NIMBY” Ammons, Thomas Baliga, Nick Cirlan, Karen Duddleston & her son Thomas Jr. (St. Richard School), Sue Dziennik & her nephew John, Jaime Groth-Searle, Cesary Krysiak & his wife Elizbieta, Valeria Lungru, Jackleyne Marin, Mr. & Mrs. Ramirez, Cassandra Rodriguez, Carlos Sanchez Jr. (UNO – Major Hector Garcia H.S.), Nick Sginorello, and Victor Vera (22nd Ward Chief of Staff).
Extending our sincere thanks
We could not have accomplished so much without all of your participation. For their part, not only did the grammar and high school students learn a very practical lesson in community pride, they also earned the dividend of fulfilling service hours.
We know there were a few more volunteers, but unfortunately they did not put their names on the sign-in sheet and it was difficult to attach names to all the faces that showed up. If we missed you, please let us know and we will thank you in our September newsletter. Everyone’s participation was crucial to the success of this project and we want to be sure nobody was left out.
Special thanks is also extended to 23rd Ward Superintendent Al Cacciottolo who provided the rakes, brooms, shovels and bags (we filled 60 huge bags!) and arranged for pick up. Also, thanks are extended to 22nd Ward Superintendent Manny Heredia, who also coordinated pick up of the tree branches and piles of chain link fence.
Phew! Great work, everyone.
All photos by Karen Duddleston