A pair of downtown community groups completed their spring cleanup day initiative last month, sprucing up Galesburg’s downtown.
According to a release from the Galesburg Downtown Council, over a hundred trash bags were used to fill a dumpster as the group worked the sidewalks, streets, every parking lot, and several back alleyways to clean up the trash on Saturday, May 22.
Joe Mangieri, Jr., Board Member of the Galesburg Downtown Council led the project with Kate Bullis, President of the Downtown Community Partnership. In a joint statement, they stated that we have a great start to a cleaner downtown for 2021.
“Most importantly, we continue to increase the awareness that it is the Downtown Community’s responsibility to keep our area clean. We want to build pride in our downtown for the entire community,” said Mangieri.
“This was a perfect reflection of both of our organizations’ goals,” said Bullis. “We want to see the community coming together, working together, and taking ownership of their downtown. With ownership comes pride, and we want all of Galesburg to feel pride for their downtown.”
Over a hundred volunteers and 14 businesses in downtown Galesburg canvassed the special service area to pick up trash, broken bottles, plastic cups, beer and soda pop cans, cigarette butts, and other waste.
Mike Holloway, President of the Downtown Council, echoed Mangieri’s and Bullis’s comments. “Additionally, we know this project will remind the community to keep Downtown Clean.”
The focus of the cleanup was on Tompkins Street to Ferris, including Main Street from the Square to Chamber’s Street.
Mangieri, Bullis, and Holloway wanted to offer a special thank you to Hy-Vee Supermarket, Fastenal, Carriage House, Innkeepers, Packing House, Sprinkle & Spoon, Wordsmith Bookshoppe, La Cantinita, The Downtown Escape, Galesburg Community Foundation, Galesburg Civic Art Center, Galesburg Public Library, Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau and Kuk Sol Won who provided refreshments, baked goods, entertainment and raffle items for the volunteers.
