This year for Make A Difference Day, NJPIRG’s Community Water Watch program organized five cleanup events throughout the state which brought out over 600 volunteers on this National Day of Service.  Check out our events!

New Brunswick-Wide Street Sweep

Thanks to the tireless efforts of organizers Jennifer Spangler, Heather Plante, and Marissa Mizeski and students from the Rutgers Chapters, the New Brunswick-wide Street Sweep had a recording breaking turnout with 212 campus and community volunteers – including 16 campus groups and 4 community groups - participating in the event.

Organizations that hosted sites and helped to make the day run smoothly were Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated, Engineers without Borders, Amnesty International, Livingston North Tower, Cub Scout Pack 19, 2nd Ward Neighborhood Block Club, Sigma Alpha Mu Pledge Class, Sigma Chi, and Edward J. Bloustein Public Service Association.

The event was kicked off by New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, NJ AmeriCorps Commission Executive Director Rowena Madden, and District 17 Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula who expressed their appreciation for the students’ volunteer efforts.  Council President Betsy Garlatti and New Brunswick Environment Commissioner Scott Yaede also came out to show their support.  The Daily Targum, local news station News12, and the Home News Tribune came out to cover the event.

“I am hoping that the examples that we all set today show that we shouldn’t just be making a difference today, but it should be something that is a constant effort each and every day that we’re here” said Mayor Jim Cahill. 

Throughout the morning volunteers removed over 450 bags of trash from the streets. One of the sites, Feaster Park, is located adjacent to an elementary school where tons of trash including needles were found in the surrounding grass and bushes. As volunteers were cleaning the bushes that surrounded the school a 4th grade boy came up and spoke to the volunteers. He not only thanked them for helping to clean his school but offered to help cleanup since this was not only his school but ‘his community too’.  This Make a Difference Day truly was a day for Neighbors helping Neighbors for a better and brighter community.

Deal Lake Cleanup

Along the shore, the Monmouth University Chapter organized a cleanup of Deal Lake, a coastal lake in Monmouth County.  Over 60 volunteers participated, including local high school students. The day was kicked off by Senator Kean, Mayor Larkin, Freeholder McMorrow, and Deal Lake Commissioner John Everson, who personally thanked organizer Sean Foran for all his hard work.  The event was featured on the front page of the Asbury Park Press’s Local Front section.

Long Swamp Creek Cleanup

The Ocean County College Chapter organized a cleanup of the Long Swamp Creek, a tributary to the Toms River, thanks to the hard work of organizer Rebecca Donatelli.  Close to 50 volunteers came out despite the overcast weather. The day was kicked off by Mayor Kelaher (shown here!) and Professor Marashi.

 The Mayor also presented the group with a certificate of appreciation for all their hard work.  The event was covered by the Ocean County Gazette.

Camden Pine Poynt Park Cleanup

Organizer Jessica Eddy at the Rutgers Camden Chapter organized a cleanup of a local park – which brought out over 35 volunteers who stayed for three hours to cleanup the park and came back the following weekend to paint a mural.  The event was kicked off by Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes who also plans to present the group with a certificate of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to improving the community.

Forsythe Wildlife Refuge Cleanup

Organizer Alex Wenholz partnered with the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge and Galloway Township for the Annual Refuge Cleanup which brought out over 250 volunteers.  The Stockton Water Watch chapter organized educational activities for the children and families attending the event. - including a group from the New York Avenue School in Atlantic City. Twenty-four volunteers – including 8 coordinators – were at the event running the various activities.  In attendance at the event was Congressman Frank Lobiondo.