Earth Day 2016

Yesterday was the 22nd annual Minneapolis Earthday Clean Up.  I was the site coordinator for the Gold Medal Park location.  We dragged the bags, gloves, first aid kit and all the rest of the stuff down there and waited, wondering if anyone would show up or would they choose one of the other 32 sites around town. But a variety of folks showed up right away and nine of us worked the bluffs behind the 35 Bridge Memorial for 2 1/2 hours.  I had a group of hard workers and a big, big thank you to all of them for their efforts. They didn't know what they were getting into.

The homeless camp back there had been accumulating stuff for years.  Old clothing, tents, sleeping bags, carpet remnants, and just general junk. There is more to be done.  Another day.  So how does a place get like this?  Years of neglect.  It is an isolated spot and honestly a convenient place for people who are homeless to camp out.  It is close to needed services that are in the downtown community.  A month ago when I visited this spot no one was living there.  One week before the cleanup date that had changed and my husband and I spoke with the guy who is temporarily calling it home.  He is working to change his circumstances.  He was joyful that we were coming to help clear the trash out.  In fact, he said he could hardly sleep the night before and thought we were all a bit late when we arrived at 9:30 am!  Dude, you are a hard worker and I am grateful to have had the experience of meeting you and hope you get back on your feet soon.