‘Rather than complain, let’s do something’

“Rather than complain about it, why don’t we just pull together?” It seemed an obvious solution to a recurring problem.
The idea from Chandler City Councilmember Kevin Hartke is providing a successful stepping stone for a community-based weed-elimination campaign, Let’s Pull Together, scheduled to get under way this month in neighborhoods citywide.
Volunteers from area churches, service organizations and neighborhood groups will assist seniors and disabled residents with front-yard maintenance; pull weeds from yards and alleys; and pick up trash from vacant or abandoned homes.
Residents are being encouraged to provide addresses as well as the location of vacant or abandoned properties covered in weeds. City staff and volunteers will work with the owners to obtain authorization to clean the properties.
Volunteers can participate in the program any day in May, according to Judy Ramos, neighborhood programs coordinator.
The initiative has its roots in the city’s Neighborhood Programs Office and For Our City-Chandler, part of the civic non-profit corporation CARE Inc. For Our City-Chandler is led by Hartke and coordinates service needs in the community with the resources of service groups, church groups, neighborhood organizations, employers, business groups and others.
The “Let’s Pull Together” campaign was a finalist for the best neighborhood program in the country and was featured at last year’s Neighborhoods, USA Conference in Indianapolis.
Information: 480-782-4348 or judy.ramos@chandleraz.gov.