Flushing Chamber Sponsors "Adopt-A-Block" Cleanup
Channel: Flushing Fantastic
Date: 2016-06-09

Flushing Earth Citizens celebrated the completion of their “Adopt-A-Block” pilot project to clean up the sidewalks on Roosevelt Avenue between Main and Union streets in downtown Flushing.  For seven days, from May 31 to June 6, local volunteers worked two-hour shifts in the mornings (7-9 am) and evenings (5:30-7:30 pm) on weekdays and in the afternoon (12-2p) on weekends. The volunteers swept sidewalks, removed graffiti and stickers, washed down trash and recycling receptacles, and scrubbed post office boxes and newspaper bins.  Volunteers also encouraged and educated local business owners, commuters, and residents about the proper disposal of trash and recyclables.

"It is clear that many individuals and businesses want to be a part of the solution to cleaning up Downtown Flushing but didn't know how to.  We hope this project will spark a movement fighting for a comprehensive solution towards a cleaner, more beautiful Flushing," stated Michelle Gavin, Regional Coordinator of the Earth Citizens Organization and Manager of Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi.
 
Volunteers included individuals from the Earth Citizens Organization, Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi, Flushing Neighborhood Watch Group, and other local residents and business owners.  The pilot project's theme -- "Our City. Our Streets. Keep Flushing Beautiful" – was created with the intention that local residents and businesses could be part of a solution to the problem of dirtiness in Downtown Flushing by taking some responsibility.

"This problem is bigger than any one person or organization’s ability to fix. It needs a collaboration of local businesses, residents, commuters and organizations like the Flushing Chamber and the Flushing BID," stated Robert Puerto, Flushing Earth Citizens Leader.
 
The project idea became a reality after winning a micro-grant of $832 at the Greater Flushing SOUP, a local crowd-funding event organized by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce.  

“The Flushing Chamber is excited to support the growing movement of local business owners and residents taking ownership of their blocks, proactively addressing the trash issue, and keeping our community beautiful,” stated John Choe, Executive Director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “The Flushing Chamber is looking forward to funding more innovative ideas to help our community at the upcoming Greater Flushing SOUP this fall.”  Those interested in submitting proposals or sponsoring the next SOUP, should contact the Flushing Chamber at soup@flushingchamber.nyc or 646-820-5163.
 
Partnerships with Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, the Flushing BID, the Flushing Neighborhood Watch Group, Crown Container, and other local businesses made this week of taking action possible. 

"We made a donation and supported because we liked the idea.  If we work together, we can clean our streets. It's good for the businesses here,” stated Yanfei Ran of ML and Chen, P.C. 

Through this project, the Flushing Earth Citizens hope to sit down with the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Flushing BID and other interested groups to expand the “Adopt-A-Block” project for downtown Flushing with the goal of getting more businesses and residents involved in creating solutions for Flushing.  For more information, please contact Michelle Gavin at michellegavin@earthcitizens.org or 718.928.4431.

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership association that seeks to build a strong, diverse, and sustainable community through advocacy, networking, and education.  Launched in 2014, the Chamber has already established Flushing’s first community night market, initiated a free English language program, sponsored multicultural festivals in Kissena Corridor Park, and is developing a new farmer’s market in downtown Flushing. For more information, contact john@flushingchamber.nyc or visit www.flushingchamber.nyc.