Portland Ore. – SOLVE, Portland Business Alliance, and Portland Lodging Alliance invite Portlanders to kick off the holidays by giving back and volunteering for the last Downtown Portland Litter Cleanup Day of the year on Friday, December 18.
Over 1,000 SOLVE volunteers have collected more than 10,000 pounds of litter from city streets, parks, and sidewalks, since early September.
For the December event, SOLVE is partnering with Transition Projects’ ‘Keep Portland Warm’ clothing drive. Volunteers are encouraged to bring new or gently-used winter clothes to the downtown cleanup where they can be dropped off in collection boxes during check-in. Donated clothing will go directly to Portland’s houseless community to ensure a more comfortable and safe winter season.
As days grow shorter, more community members are looking for safe ways to connect with neighbors and peers. An outdoor litter cleanup is an excellent way to engage in community volunteer work and see friends and neighbors, all while staying safe.
Volunteer and community safety are a top priority for SOLVE. Before attending the Downtown Cleanup event, all volunteers must agree to COVID-19 Safety Guidelines which include wearing a mask throughout the project and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from anyone outside of your household, among other measures.
SOLVE staff have also incorporated safety guidelines into event operations. These guidelines include routinely sanitizing all shared equipment between uses, creating a staggered check-in process to eliminate crowding, and requiring pre-registration to limit the number of volunteers attending.
The need for community-building events has never been so important. On December 18, SOLVE invites Oregonians to join the Downtown Portland Volunteer Litter Cleanup Day and feel good about being part of a collective effort to revitalize the Rose City.
Volunteers can check in at four different locations throughout the downtown including The Benson, South Park Blocks, Providence Park, and Waterfront Park. Volunteer check-in will take place from 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM to allow for social distancing and the event will run until 11:30 AM. Pre-registration is required and interested community members should visit www.solveoregon.org to register for the event.
Each piece of litter removed by volunteers keeps it from polluting nearby waterways, like the Willamette River. Disposal for the event is donated by Central City Concern.
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About SOLVE
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
About Portland Business Alliance
The Portland Business Alliance is greater Portland’s Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region. Our vision is a healthy and resilient business ecosystem. Visit PortlandAlliance.com for more information.
Contact Info:
Contact Info:
Larissa Gordon, SOLVE | 860-942-9108 | larissa@solveoregon.org
Amy Lewin, Portland Business Alliance | 503-475-3010 | alewin@portlandalliance.com