On a sunny, yet brisk, morning on April 23, the Saturday after Earth Day, volunteers from across the San Fernando Valley participated in a cleanup of its famous thoroughfare—Ventura Boulevard.
Near the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Tampa Avenue, The Tarzana Neighborhood Council tent was abuzz with people of various ages ready to beautify the surrounding area. The event was organized by the non-profit Volunteers Cleaning Communities.
The cleanup stretched from Valley Circle to Universal City, and on the Tarzana stretch of the boulevard, participants donning neon green shirts reading, “We volunteers pick up trash,” could be seen sweeping the streets for even the smallest pieces of refuse with gloved hands.
Head volunteer Georgia Altmayer of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council explained that when the streets are cleaned, encampments move out of the area. “The whole goal is to keep our streets litter-free. It keeps us safe,” Altmayer said.
Neon green t-shirts reading, “We volunteers pick up trash” are provided at the Tarzana branch of the Earth Day cleanup of Ventura Blvd. organized by Volunteers Cleaning Communities on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Photo by Ginina Pulcinella.Head volunteer Georgia Altmayer of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council prepares supplies at the Tarzana Neighborhood Council booth at the Tarzana branch of the Earth Day cleanup of Ventura Blvd. organized by Volunteers Cleaning Communities on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Photo by Ginina Pulcinella.Volunteers Max Endler and Erin Ramos collect trash around the Department of Water and Power at the Tarzana branch of the Earth Day cleanup of Ventura Blvd. organized by Volunteers Cleaning Communities on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Photo by Ginina Pulcinella.Volunteers Beverly Manasse (L) and Barbara Pampalone (R) pick up trash at the Tarzana branch of the Earth Day cleanup of Ventura Blvd. organized by Volunteers Cleaning Communities on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Photo by Ginina Pulcinella.
