A small group of us got together for our first neighbourhood litter clean-up on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Five families joined (including mine), and one family had to cancel at the last minute because they were not feeling well.
We were supposed to meet in front of the Renfrew Library, but about half an hour before the event, I noticed all the outdoor garbage bins had been removed. Since we needed somewhere to toss the bags afterward, I quickly shifted the meeting point to another spot about two minutes away, where the bins were still available. Everyone adapted easily and found the new spot.
Before the event, I made a simple poster with real pictures to help the kids understand what they could pick up (wrappers, paper, fruit peel, cups) and what they should not touch (needles, broken glass, sharp metal). I kept reminding them that if they are not sure, they are encouraged to ask an adult.
I purchased garbage bags, garbage grabbers, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, juice, water, and various snacks first to bring to the event. We took some time to munch on some snacks before heading out together.
We wandered around the neighbourhood while picking up litter along the sidewalks and nearby park/community centre. The kids genuinely had fun and treated it almost like a treasure hunt. They were proud every time they found something they recognized from the poster and loved showing each other what they picked up.
Despite the rainy, cold weather, it was such a rewarding feeling to watch the kids connect with one another. They were laughing and comparing what they found.
At the end, we tossed everything into the outdoor bins and took a group photo. We spent some time connecting and munching on more snacks. It ended up being a relaxed, fun afternoon. The kids got fresh air, learned something meaningful, and made new friends. As a group, we left the neighbourhood a little cleaner than we found it.
