JACKSON – Dozens of township-based organizations recently took to the streets to rid them of debris and to fill up a whole lot of trash bags.
Those groups got the benefit of a grant from the Clean Communities program and one local organization cleared the roadways filling hundreds of trash bags
New Jersey Clean Communities is a statewide program that promotes volunteer cleanup of public lands and each year, the township hosts these public cleanups and reimburses organizations and community groups $500 per mile of road cleaned.
That funding comes from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s New Jersey Clean Communities grant. This year’s cleanup saw around 30 groups involved. They received direction from Township Department of Public Works representative Shawn Bolinsky.
The groups hit the roads and cleaned up over 200 bags of trash. That cleanup does not include the tires or wood pallets discarded along the roadside, which were also picked up.
Two members of the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League scout around for debris to pick up. (Photo courtesy Jackson Thunder Travel Little League)
League member Danielle and Todd Sinowitz were present at the cleanup.
Coach Todd Sinowitz told The Jackson Times, “Public Works assigned our group to Grawtown Road from Route 527 to Dr. Suss Stables. The team members, parents, and team sponsor who were able to attend met at the Corner of Grawtown Road and Route 527 to be given supplies (vest, gloves, garbage bags, garbage pickers) and we geared up and began our cleanup.”
“We began our cleanup at 9:30 a.m. and made our way down to Dr. Suss Stables on one side of the street and crossed over at the stables and made our way back on the opposite side. In total we collected nine full bags of garbage, and they were the big bags not the normal size garbage bag,” he added.
“The boys felt really good about cleaning the garbage tossed on the side of the road because we did encounter a few turtles throughout our morning, and the boys mentioned that cleaning kept the animals safe,” said team administrator Danielle Sinowitz. “The boys felt really good about cleaning the garbage tossed on the side of the road because we did encounter a few turtles throughout our morning, and the boys mentioned that cleaning kept the animals safe.”
“We are hoping to apply and be granted the opportunity to clean again in the fall or at least next spring,” Danielle Sinowitz said.
She added, “it’s a great grant program to be involved in and we are very happy to have been picked, it was a great way to give back to Jackson Township.”
Team member Rob Capizzano said, “our organization began in 2017 after our then 8 year old all-star season for Jackson little league. We started with one team and 13 families and grew the organization over the next few years when we peaked with 11 teams and over 130 families in 2019.”
Members of the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League take to Grawtown Road scouring for debris and trash to pick up. (Photo courtesy Jackson Thunder Travel Little League)
“We became a 501(c)3 not for profit organization in March of 2020 and that’s when we began doing the road cleanups with the township. I believe we have done four individual cleanups to date and it’s a great experience for the kids as they have an opportunity to do some good for the town and raise some money at the same time for their team,” he added.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn joined the efforts of the Jackson Thunder Travel Little League who focused on cleaning up Grawtown Road. Her real estate firm JLK Sales Group is the team’s sponsor.
“This (cleanup project) is a great way for the community to pitch in and help keep our roadways clean,” Kuhn said. “I want to thank all of the organizations that came out to pitch in today.”
Resident Patricia Wood managed the Clean Communities Program for years. She grew the program over the years before her passing in 2021. Now the program is organized under the administration of Mayor Michael Reina.
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