Beds, BBQ's, Even an Old Boat: Neighbors Dump their Junk!

Youth volunteer helps seperate bulky waste for disposal while Event coordinator Brian Heerwagen breaks down larger items

2008 Wilkes East Neighborhood Clean-Up a Huge Success! With the peak of summer came this year's Wilkes East Neighborhood Clean-Up. For the past 3 years, Wilkes East residents have enjoyed the convenient disposal of unwanted trash and yard debris at the annual July fund-raiser sponsored by the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association.

Residents lined-up early for the three hour event held Saturday July 26th from 9AM to Noon in the east parking lot at HB Lee Middle School. Staffed by a dozen volunteers this year's clean-up served 48 families, and filled two industrial sized (40 cubic yard) dumpsters to capacity! One dumpster was dedicated to Yard Debris and Wood Waste, the other dumpster was dedicated to Bulky Waste (trash).

Volunteers directed traffic, helped clean-up participants with their drop-offs, and seperated the debris for disposal. Home pick-up was also available this year for bulky items and to those neighbors without transportation. Many neighbors expressed their appreciation, thanking the volunteers, and stating how much they look forward to the annual event. Disposed items included yard debris, furniture, beds, bbqs, carpet, garage trash, remodeling debris, lots of junk, windows and doors, even an old wooden boat!

This year's neighborhood clean-up was such a huge success the dumpsters overflowed by 11AM, requiring several trips to the local landfill with a flatbed truck to dispose of everything collected. Volunteer event coordinator Brian Heerwagon said he was very impressed with the number of participants, as well as the quantity of debris. Heerwagon also stated that he'd like to add additional dumpsters and recycling to next years event.

"It was a great day with many households getting their yards and garages in order, and neighbors meeting neighbors." said neighborhood association president Kris Freiermuth. The success of this year's neighborhood clean-up demonstrates that "Together we can make a difference".

The day was topped off with a free ice cream social, giving neighbors an opportunity to enjoy their accomplishment and to meet one another.

Congratulations to everyone that participated in this year's Neighborhood Clean-Up. Our thanks to all the volunteers that helped with this project. And a special thanks to volunteer event coordinator Brian Heerwagen who organized this productive day!

The Wilkes East Annual Neighborhood Cleanup is a WENA fundraising event. WENA uses these funds to support WENA activities and projects; and to assist neighborhood residents on issues such as land use, nuisance, crime, transportation concerns, and more.

For more information or to volunteer email info@wilkeseastna.org.

Related Info

Metro Hazardous Waste Disposal

• Wed, Aug 16, 2008 9AM - 2PM
  Troutdale Transfer Station
  869 NW Eastwind Drive
  Troutdale
• Tue & Wed, Aug 22-23, 2008 9AM - 2PM
  Marshall High School
  3905 SE 91st Ave.
  Portland

Clean-Up Photos

Let the fun begin!	Setup and ready to go!	Bring on the junk!
Brian loads more yard debris while Greg "takes 5"	Glen searches for space as more yard debris arrives	Volunteer staff watch the dumpster activity
Brian & Bob pause for some fun!	Seperating the bulky waste from the yard debrs	Great job Brian... save room for the boat!
Glen & Greg enjoy a quick break!	Greg & Glen "the box is full!"	Metro removes the last dumpster