Volunteer Spotlight

Spring Cleaning

Generations of neighbors are growing a new crop of volunteers from the ground up.

By Lucy Erdelac

QVNA volunteer Carol Weil and neighbors of Leithgow’s 700 block have come together over the years to keep their street clean. It’s a natural progression: As their kids collectively play outside on this cute alley street, parents are afforded the opportunity to socialize and plan the next clean-up. These mini events got more ambitious, as some set to cleaning westbound on Monroe, and others, under the leadership of volunteer Roy Hoffman, cleaned eastbound on Bainbridge— with both groups tackling street trash and storm drains between 4th and 5th. As these Comrades-in-Clean grew their numbers and became closer as friends, they plotted to conquer the developing neglect along Bainbridge’s interior strip: Bainbridge Green.

Charisa Kim digs in. Friends of Bainbridge Green Chair Carol Weil and son, Giacomo take a break.

From Grassroots Movement to Friends 2.0

Volunteers are the backbone of Queen Village, energizing every facet of our community. When volunteers share a passion for the same vision, their activities can make improvements happen. About 10 years ago, the inaugural Friends of Bainbridge Green kept the 300 and 400 blocks manicured, planted, and energized. As time moved on, the original Friend Group’s volunteer numbers waned while a fenced-in jungle grew. Since it takes a good number of hearts and hands to care for any shared park, playground, or common land, the time was ripe for the Friends of Bainbridge Green 2.0 to form. The first goal? To clean and green the 400 block. Should their volunteer numbers continue to grow, the 300 block will be next.

Today, led by Carol Weil, Friends of Bainbridge Green’s members include Donnie Broe, Eli Fish, Mai Foringer, Netta Golenberg, Briggitte Gomez,

Patrick Griffin, Roy Hoffman, Charisa Kim, Sandy Kowalski, Patti Morris

Rubnitz, Rory O’Brien, Rebecca Oliveira, Ryan Oliveira, and Eric Roundtree.

Patti Morris Rubnitz, Zev Hoffman, Henry Weil,

and Noah Hoffman spruce things up.

On March 19, the re-energized Friends of Bainbridge Green held its inaugural clean-andgreen event. Dozens of volunteers of all ages were sweeping, bagging, planting, and even painting. In three short hours, pansies and perennials were planted, benches were painted, and 62 bags of weeds and trash were filled! The 400 block of Bainbridge Green looks great—come out and help do the same for the 300 block! FriendsofBainbridgeGreen@qvna.org

If you’re interested in volunteering with Friends of Bainbridge Green, please let us know at FriendsofBainbridgeGreen@qvna.org, or contact QVNA at (215) 339-0975.

To quote Philadelphia’s own writer and cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Patrick Griffin hauls the trash. Mai Foringer, Rory O'Brien, and Akija Johnson clean up.

Rebecca and Ryan Oliveira smile for the camera.

Over at the Courtyard

On March 19, Friends of Weccacoe Playground Chair Kevin Parker (far left), Friends Group member Susan Kellogg (far right), and volunteers from the Courtyard Mentor Network (CMN) swept up and removed 63 bags of trash and debris from the playground. CMN mentees included Tahij Means, Faheem Moultrie, Christin White, Oreace Torrence, Yazeem Darby Green, Zyaire Williams, Jabril Span, Mikeal Peoples, Jaylan Thomas, Dameere Tyndale, Nakhi Peoples, Shaun Haynes, and Tariq Sabur. CMN is led by CMN founder and QVNA Vice President Justin Fishman and CMN Mentor and Comedian Gary Sharp (back row, third from left and third from right, respectively).

Learn more about CMN at www. instagram/courtyardmentornetwork.

Please donate to support CMN at bit.ly/CourtyardMentorNetwork.

At Beck Park

On March 19, Friends of Beck Park volunteers of all ages swept up eight bags of leaves and debris. This pocket park gem sits at the corner of 2nd and Beck streets.

Interested in volunteering at Beck? Contact FriendsOfBeckPark@qvna.org. Want to support the beautification of Beck Park? Donate at bit.ly/FriendsOfBeckPark. ■

Left to right: Friends of Beck Park Friends volunteers Noelle and George Hofman; Ed Snyder; Dr. Tania Wismar; and Rosie, Mike, and Willa Grosberg.