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Neighborhood Cleanup Event (Click to enlarge)

Wilkes East Neighborhood Cleanup Event May 10, 2025

By Greg Hartung, WENA Board Member

Wilkes East Neighborhood Cleanup event was held on May 10th 2025 at the Moose Lodge. The day marked the much-anticipated neighborhood cleanup, an event that—thanks to the collective effort of residents, local organizations, and Metro officials—would become a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on our community’s environment and spirit.

Every great accomplishment is rooted in thoughtful preparation, and this year’s cleanup was no exception. Planning began months in advance. Flyers were hand delivered to residents, newsletters detailed the event’s objectives: to have a place to bring bulky waste that normally would not have been able to place in a garbage can. The event was free to all to help all residents clear their yards, homes, and garages of no longer needed trash. Donations were collected to help offset the expenses.

The planning committee—comprised of residents young and old, representatives from the neighborhood association, Moose Lodge, Metro, and Waste Management. Metro provided grant money for the dumpsters. The Moose Lodge provided the location and refreshments.

More than 5 tons of bulky waste were collected. Additionally, another 4 tons of scrap metal was diverted to local recyclers.

One of the defining features of the cleanup was the diverse collaboration it fostered. Residents who had rarely exchanged more than a passing wave now worked side by side, sharing stories and laughter as they tackled shared tasks. Yet the true impact of the cleanup reached beyond the day’s visible results. Neighbors, once strangers, now felt a sense of camaraderie forged in shared effort. Throughout the day, conversations among participants revealed a deepened appreciation for both the neighborhood and those who call it home. One resident, originally hesitant to join, was inspired by the sight of so many coming together.

Plans are already underway for next year’s cleanup, with organizers eager to build on this year’s momentum. Suggestions have poured in. If you would like to donate your time and energy for next years plans, you can drop us a line at info@wilkeseastna.org. We welcome ideas and volunteers.

The legacy of this year’s cleanup will live on, not just in the tidy streets and blooming gardens, but in the friendships, goodwill, and renewed sense of belonging it inspired.

Event Photos

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Don't Let Old Paint Cans Get In Your Way - Recycle At These Locations!

Recycling old paint offers several benefits, including resource conservation, landfill space reduction, and potential reuse for others. It helps prevent environmental pollution from toxic chemicals and reduces the need for new paint production, saving energy and resources.

For residents of Wilkes East, the primary locations for dropping off unwanted paint for recycling is:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore
  610 NE 181st Ave
  (503) 575-7336
• Sherwin-Williams
  18179 NE Halsey St
  (503) 666-1258

Quantity accepted varies between 20-25 gallons per visit. Both sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons in size.

They do not accept aerosols (spray paint or other spray products), containers without original labels, or containers that are leaking or empty. Contact store for details.

For more paint recycling info visit PaintCare at https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/

Did You Know? You can toss opened and fully dry paint cans in your weekly trash.

Hi! My name is Ed Spradlin, I am 77yrs young, and I have lived in Portland/Gresham all my life. I grew up in North Portland across from Columbia Park. I attended grade school in Portsmouth and Highland. I then attended Jefferson Hight School, followed by Oregon State University. I was drafted to Vietnam, and after my return continued my education to graduate from Portland State University.

Ed Spradlin

My family ultimately moved out to Gresham 45 years ago, and I have lived there ever since. I am now involved in volunteering for a non-profit that helps under privileged children get access to dental care. The Dental Foundation of Oregon is the non-profit organization that supports and funds the "Tooth Taxi". This is basically a large rolling dental clinic on wheels that travels across Oregon to schools and communities not only educating families but giving actual dental care to children in need.

My family and friends have also joined me in my efforts to help raise money for this cause. What started as me walking the streets in search of cans and bottles to raise money, has now blossomed into an ever growing team of individuals sharing in this effort. Team "Can Do".

Some of the many bottles & cans Ed has collected for the the 'Tooth Taxi'

Every day I am overwhelmed by the beauty of all these individuals who have eagerly stepped up to be a part of something that is growing in support. People want to help. They just, often, don't know how. I have realized something in this process, and it is validated everyday by all the people who have joined this cause. We can do amazing things alone, but even more amazing things together. Together we are team "Can Do".

Outstanding job Ed!

When: Sat, Apr 02, 2022 9AM-12PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Get Map!

Join us for a free document shredding and block Styrofoam recycling event. This is a drive-through, drop-and-go service with a limit of two grocery sized bags per vehicle.

What to shred and recycle

• Credit card and bank statements
• Paycheck stubs
• Investment statements
• Paper with personal data
• Block Styrofoam used in product packaging

Not accepted:

• Items with any food/liquid residue
• Styrofoam with tape
• Packing peanuts
• Hot tub covers
• Colored foam
• Dirty foam
• Squishy foam

For more information, email Recycle@GreshamOregon.gov or call 503-618-2525.

		Simple Solution. Big Reward. After big holiday meals, no one likes to be stuck doing the clean-up. But if you aren't careful with leftover gravy, pan drip-pings and sauces a grease-clogged drain could ruin your holiday and cost you a bundle.

When fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain, they stick to the inside of pipes causing messy sewer backups and expensive cleanup and repair.

The solution:
Pour the grease into a can, freeze it, and toss the can in the trash!

When: Tue, May 07, 2019 6PM-8PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Regular Council meetings allow necessary City business to be dealt with, such as citizen recognition, citizen advisory committee reports, bid awards, resolutions, ordinances, public hearings, etc. Regular Council meetings are streamed live on the City's website at GreshamOregon.gov/Videos.

For more information contact the City Recorder at 503-618-2697.

Read more about Council meetings.

Let's Fix It! When: Sat, Mar 09, 2019 10AM-12PM Where: Habitat for Humanity ReStore 610 NE 181st Ave. Get Map!

Get your broken items fixed by community volunteers for free

The City of Gresham and Coalition of Neighborhood Associations are teaming up to bring people with repair skills together to help neighbors fix their broken items.

Types of household items repaired

• Broken bicycles, chains and tires
• Torn clothing, missing buttons and other fabric repairs
• Broken clocks, fans and small kitchen appliances
• Broken VCRs, DVD or CD players, printers, calculators, Gameboys and remote controls

Please note: Televisions, microwaves and small engines are not repairable at this event.

What to expect

• Try to bring anything that may be needed to repair your item; Parts, buttons, matching thread, power cords, batteries, connecting cables, remote controls, instructions manuals, etc.
• We try to help everyone who brings an item. If participants bring multiple items (allowed), we can only work on one item at a time and may not be able to fix more than one item per person.
• Our volunteer fixers will do their best to repair your item, but some repairs may be too complicated or require resources that aren't available at the event.
• The event is free. There may be a wait depending on the number of repairs.

Contact

For more information contact us at repaircafegresham@gmail.com or 503-618-2694.

• Repair PDX
• Gresham Repair Cafe

When: Tue, Mar 12, 2019 6PM-7:30PM Where: Rosewood Initiative 16126 SE Stark Street Get Map!

Join the Citys Recycling and Solid Waste staff for a fun and creative event for the whole family. We will learn how to make recycled greeting cards and journals with recycled materials from SCRAP PDX. Learn how to recycle with fun, interactive presentations and games.

• Free pizza
• Craft supplies provided (scissors, glue, paper, etc.)
• Free instruction and recycling information

For more information, contact Shaunna Sutcliffe at 503-618-2694 or Shaunna.Sutcliffe@GreshamOregon.gov.

Learn more about recycling

2019 Spring Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Inside This Issue:   Rockwood Rising, A New Urban Hub Migration Brewing Opens New Pub Earth Day Recycling Event, April 20 Nadaka Happenings & Changes WENA Spring Meeting March 11, 7PM

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our regular meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Earth Day Everyday Free Recycle Event When: Sat, Apr 28, 2018 9AM-2PM Where: Gresham City Hall Parking Lot 1333 NW Eastman Pky. Get Map!

The City will hold its annual recycling event in celebration of Earth Day. This event is free to Gresham and Wood Village residents (businesses may only participate in recycling fluorescents).

Items that can be recycled or donated

Volunteer

We are also looking for volunteers for this year's event. Tasks may include directing traffic, handing out flyers, unloading materials from automobiles and sorting materials. Sign up to volunteer.

Hazardous waste collection

A separate hazardous waste collection event will be hosted by Metro:

• 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Mt. Hood Community College, Parking lot N

More information

• Recycle@GreshamOregon.gov
• 503-618-2518