Private and Public Sectors Partner for Community Cleanup Nov. 20 and Unveil a Tool Trailer Refurbished with Private Donations

More than 100 volunteers from the private and public sector will conduct a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 20, in the area bounded by Seventh Street to the west, 14th Street to the east, Sherman Street to the north and Durango Street to the south. Cleanup volunteers will include members of the Support Sky Harbor Coalition, residents and city staff from the Phoenix Neighborhood Services, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation departments.

The cleanup is in partnership with residents of the Nuestro Barrio and El Campito communities and will include removal of dead vegetation and debris in right-of-ways and alleyways, as well as graffiti removal.  

The meeting site for volunteers is Nuestro Park, 1433 S. Ninth St. (Ninth and Pima streets).  Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with refreshments served at 8 a.m., provided by the Support Sky Harbor Coalition.  The cleanup will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will conclude with lunch at 11 a.m.

District 8 Councilman Michael Johnson will take part in the event and will address the volunteers prior to the start of the cleanup.

In partnership with the city of Phoenix, the Support Sky Harbor Coalition (the Coalition) donated funds to refurbish and retrofit an existing city trailer, which was about to be sold at auction, for the purpose of community cleanups. The donation also includes tools and all additional equipment needed for a neighborhood tool trailer. The tool trailer is wrapped to include logos from the Coalition and the city of Phoenix, and a phone number neighborhood groups can call to reserve the trailer.

The Coalition will reserve the trailer twice a year for community cleanups around Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. During the remainder of the year, neighborhood associations throughout Phoenix will have access to the trailer to conduct neighborhood cleanups. There will be no charge for neighborhood groups to use the trailer.                                                                                                      

The Support Sky Harbor Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) corporation with 15 board members and more than 75 contributing companies and organizations, whose mission is to educate the community about the economic and quality-of-life benefits that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport brings to the greater Phoenix region.                                                                                           

"We look forward to creating a positive impact in the community surrounding Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport though our partnership with the city of Phoenix and surrounding neighborhoods," said Ralph Ketchum, Support Sky Harbor Coalition chair. Coalition activities include outreach with community members and leaders, businesses, and elected officials.                                            

“More than ever, the city appreciates the private sector stepping up and making a difference in our community in these times of  a reduced budget and employee workforce,” said Councilman Michael Johnson. “Phoenix thanks the Support Sky Harbor Coalition for showing its dedication to community involvement by donating funds and volunteers.”                                                                 

“The tool trailer sponsored by Support Sky Harbor Coalition is the only one of its kind. Any other private-sector companies or organizations interested in a similar sponsorship are encouraged to call the Phoenix Neighborhood Services Coordination Division at 602-534-2393,” said Jerome Miller, Phoenix deputy city manager.