Vanessa Rogier – Conservation Manager for The Trash Punx
They Chose the Litter Sticks
Sometimes the most inspiring moments are the ones you never planned.
The Trash Punx recently spent an evening at a local community center celebrating National Night Out. We had a game for kids and families, stickers and magnets to give away, and lots of conversations about recycling, unwanted items, and ways we can all take better care of our community.
And sitting off to the side was a bin of litter sticks.
They weren’t part of the activity. We had simply pulled them out of the van while unloading and left them there.
Then someone asked, “Can I have a litter stick?”
Of course! If someone wants to go pick up trash, we can help - we love that!
But then something wonderful happened.
As kids played our game and were offered their prizes, instead of pointing to the stickers or magnets, they started pointing toward the bin.
“Could I have a litter stick, please?”
One after another.
By the end of the evening, we had given away more than 100 litter sticks!
As we handed each one over, we had just one requirement:
“You promise you’re going to pick up trash with this?”
Their answers blew us away.
“I already pick up trash all the time.”
“I clean up my neighborhood.”
“I do it every Wednesday.”
“This is going to make it so much easier!”
Some were already environmental stewards. Others were excited about becoming one. But every one of them reminded us of something important: people care. Kids care. Our community cares!
We went to National Night Out hoping to share a little bit about what The Trash Punx does. Instead, more than 100 people walked away ready to do a little of it themselves.
And that may have been the best prize we could have given away.
Want to Clean Up Your Neighborhood?
The Trash Punx Local Stewardship Program can help you get started. We provide litter sticks, safety vests, gloves and the cleanup supplies you need — and we can even provide a small stipend for snacks and drinks for your volunteers.
You bring the people and the love for your neighborhood. We’ll help with the rest.
Reach out to The Trash Punx and become part of this incredible spirit of stewardship that’s alive and growing throughout San Jose.
Look what you did!