ELU volunteers cleaning up one Mohawk Valley neighborhood at a time
WEST UTICA, N.Y. – United Way of the Mohawk Valley’s Emerging Leaders United (United Way MV’s ELU), has partnered with the “Keep America Beautiful: Great American Clean-up” effort for their annual Spring Clean-up. This is the 24th annual Great American Clean-up and the fourth year United Way MV’s ELU has helped to bring local community volunteers as a part of this effort in the Mohawk Valley.
“Making a positive impact is only part of what our ELU members strive for with each event they take part in,” said Erin Gutierrez Matt, United Way MV’s CEO. “As our neighborhoods are being used and populated again, we are hoping this clean-up effort will keep the sidewalks, parking lots, streets, and local parks litter-free. Being part of the ‘Keep America Beautiful’ campaign is a wonderful way to contribute to keeping our communities cleaner.”
Each year, ELU heads to a different area of the Mohawk Valley for this annual volunteer event. More than 30 volunteers gathered early Saturday, May 14, 2022, to clean debris throughout West Utica and the surrounding area. Volunteers gathered 30 bags of litter and debris after the year’s winter melt.
“Bringing people together to volunteer and make a difference in the Mohawk Valley is one of the main goals of ELU,” said Leanne Allen, ELU committee chair. “We hope to continue to grow our Spring Clean-up efforts next year with even more volunteers and more than one location.”
The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program. It engages more than 3 million volunteers and participants each year, according to the Keep America Beautiful website. Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful is an affiliate of the Keep America Beautiful Program. The mission is to organize, engage and empower public and private entities in the Mohawk Valley to take greater responsibility for improving their community environment.
As thanks, Saranac Brewery donated private access to their tavern and a free drink to all the ELU Spring Clean-up volunteers. United Way MV ELU volunteer opportunities are made possible by sponsors M&T Bank, Priceless Inspections, LLC, & Indium Corporation.
Learn more about Emerging Leaders United
