A large team of REALTORS® picked up garbage and filled over 100 bags from parks and communities right across the region on Saturday, May 7. The event was organized through the REALTORS Care® Foundation, which oversees charitable works by REALTORS®. Over 100 volunteers signed up to clean locations in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, Saint John, Rothesay, and Sussex.
“The enthusiasm was overwhelming,” said Barry MacDonald, Chair of the local REALTORS Care® committee, who worked with the Rothesay team. “Everyone involved gave 100 per cent.” Even the public was supportive in Rothesay, he added – some honked their horns as they drove by, and others even stopped to express their appreciation.
The Saint John team, which focused its efforts on Rockwood Park, had REALTORS® wading in the lakes up to their knees removing garbage. “It felt very empowering to remove plastic bags, discarded coffee cups, and pop bottles from one of Saint John’s best treasures,” said Pam Trites, REALTOR®. Clean-up volunteers in the Rockwood Park area reported removing items such as old carpet and broken glass from the lakes and trails.
In St. Andrews, efforts understandably focussed on cleaning up beachfront parks such as Indian Point and the Celtic Cross area. REALTORS®, with family members and friends in tow, laughed and enjoyed themselves. “It was fun and a great day,” said Leona Golding, who organized the Charlotte County team. “We certainly had a great work crew.”
The Saint John Real Estate Board says this event is just one of many more REALTORS Care® events to come in the months and years ahead. “Next up, we are organizing a food drive for local food banks, which don’t get enough donations in the summer since most people think of them only during the holidays,” said MacDonald. “Our members will be teaming up again to fill that need, and we expect the same level of enthusiasm.”
