Scranton residents and nonprofits volunteer for ‘City Pride’ cleanup June 5-12
From a press release:
After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, Scranton City Pride cleanups and plantings are returning to the Electric City.
Today, organizers announced the week-long event will be reintroduced in neighborhoods throughout the city and the downtown business district thanks to a partnership between Scranton Tomorrow, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the city of Scranton. Scranton City Pride will be held on Saturday, June 5 through Saturday, June 12 in conjunction with national NeighborWorks Week.
Representatives from all three partnering organizations gathered this afternoon at Scranton Tomorrow’s office in downtown Scranton to share the news. Guest speakers included Mayor Paige Cognetti, the honorary chairperson of Scranton City Pride; Scranton Tomorrow President and CEO Leslie Collins; NeighborWorks NEPA President and CEO Jesse Ergott; Scranton Tomorrow Board of Directors Chairperson Michael Gilmartin; and NeighborWorks NEPA Board Vice Chairperson Teddy Michel.
“Scranton Tomorrow has a history of service to the community, and we’ve been proud to organize City Pride cleanups and plantings since the mid-1990s,” Collins said.
“Most recently, we’ve focused beautification efforts in the downtown business district. This new partnership with NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, and continued support from the city of Scranton, allows us to reestablish the project in neighborhoods in every section of the city this year. We are so grateful for this collaboration, and we invite everyone in the community to take pride in our city and join us.”
With an increased interest in volunteer opportunities from their supporters and national NeighborWorks Week on the horizon, Scranton City Pride was a natural fit for NeighborWorks NEPA.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Scranton Tomorrow on city pride this year,” Ergott said.
“This summer will mark our organization’s 40th anniversary, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the celebration of our long history of service in the city of Scranton than to roll up our sleeves and serve alongside our neighbors and partners for an event like this.”
Community cleanups and beautification programs support the city’s efforts to combat blight and enhance the quality of life for those who work and live in Scranton.
“Projects like City Pride help revitalize our neighborhoods and highlight our great resources in Scranton, which include our incredible community partners,” Cognetti noted.
“Together, we are creating a better environment for all who work, live, and play here.”
Volunteers may register as part of a team for an organization or business, or individuals may sign up to participate at their favorite park or on their property at home. A limited number of $50 mini grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, and civic groups. These groups should indicate their interest during the online registration process.
Scranton City Pride volunteers will complete a variety of important tasks, such as raking, sweeping, removing litter, weeding, planting, pruning, and painting. They will be given gloves and trash bags, and they are encouraged to bring their favorite tools, and a friend, to their cleanup or planting.
To learn more and to register, visit scrantoncitypride.org. For more information, contact Scranton Tomorrow Safe, Clean & Green Team Leader Steve Ward at steve@scrantontomorrow.org or 570-963-5901 or Tim Schwartz of NeighborWorks NEPA at scrantoncitypride2021@gmail.com or 570-558-2490.
For a list of ideas for home cleanups, check out Scranton Tomorrow’s blog post on Scranton City Pride at scrantontomorrow.org.
Scranton City Pride is made possible through the support of PNC Bank, the PPL Foundation, and the University of Scranton.
Scranton Tomorrow is a 501c(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan community and economic development organization working to establish Scranton as the premier urban center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. With a headquarters (307 Linden St.) located in the historic downtown business district, Scranton Tomorrow is a volunteer-based organization whose members are as diverse as the greater Scranton community. Volunteers and supporters include business leaders, public officials, entrepreneurs, property owners, developers, educators, artists, and community partners, all united in a love for the city and a commitment to reach its greatest potential.
NeighborWorks NEPA (815 Smith St., Scranton) is a nonprofit organization that has worked for 40 years to increase the financial stability of families and individuals by providing programs and services that create and preserve responsible homeownership and affordable housing throughout the city of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. With programs including homeownership coaching and education, aging in place, home renovation services, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, NeighborWorks is deeply ingrained in the community.
