ENGLEWOOD — The Greater Englewood community will celebrate its fifth annual Greater Englewood Unity Day Saturday by cleaning up more than 50 blocks.
Clean up sites will cover everything from Perkins Bass Elementary School, 1140 W. 66th St., to green large lots on Marshfield at Harvard Avenues.
The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. at 730 W. 69th St. in an effort in connection with Chicago’s Clean and Green Volunteer Clean-Up.
Residents, schools, organizations, businesses and elected officials in Greater Englewood will join together once again in an effort to increase unity, while also cleaning up the neighborhood. The day will end in a celebration.
“Greater Englewood Unity Day is a very special day for us," said Nicole Johnson, data and communications manager for Teamwork Englewood.
"The only news about Englewood usually surrounds destitution and violence. That’s not who we are, and that’s not all we’re about," Johnson said. "We are one of the most active communities in the city. Unity Day is an example and the rest of the city and country needs to know that.”
Cleanup site coordinators will head to their locations and lead the cleanup efforts. At noon, volunteers will return to Imagine Englewood If, 730 W. 69th St. and for a celebration.
Imagine Englewood If's Executive Director Geri Harston said the group is hoping for a great turnout this year. The day is more than just cleaning, Harston said.
“We’re coming together for each other and for our environment," Harston said. "We celebrate our unity with our neighbors, co-workers, friends, showcasing our mutual respect for each other and nature.”
Teamwork Englewood has partnered with Chicago Cares and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to bring in volunteers to participate.
