In 2002, Virginia Beach Clean Community Coordinator Ruby Arredondo realized that there was a need for senior citizens who live in their own place to have yard work done occasionally to help them maintain their properties. Our first event was to organize some volunteers who came out to support Clean the Bay Day to help clean ditches and spruce up the yard. Ruby organized volunteers, donated materials, tools and debris removal services for a Saturday clean up. She also organized training with a City arborist and the Master Gardeners to train volunteers on pruning and other gardening practices.

In three hours, trees and hedges were pruned and leaves were removed from ditches. Donated plants and mulch were placed and neighbors were recruited to come out and help mow the grass after the transformation. The couple who lived in the house were both pleased and humbled that volunteers were able to do so much in so little time. As the program developed, Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission Volunteers obtained equipment donations and purchased tools to conduct clean ups. One of the most important things the projects have been doing is to improve the visibility and physical access to homes by removing plants and shrubs from accesses and windows to home of seniors. Blocked windows and doors create a safety hazard for seniors and public safety professionals who could be asked to come and help them.

The program requires that the owners be in owner occupied homes and townhomes within the city of Virginia Beach. Applications are reviewed and after contact is made with the owner of the property, arrangements are made for the project. Scheduling is coordinated thought the City’s public works waste management/recycling division. Clean Community arranges for volunteers, equipment and other logistics (such as fuel for equipment, food and water for volunteers).

Now in its 11th season “Helping Hands” Provides “Yard Make Over’s” using volunteers from businesses, military commands, schools and civic organizations. Support from he City’s public works waste management/recycling partners has made it a shining example of innovation and resources being used to gain the maximum benefit with minimum expense. The success is based on our dedication to caring, collaboration and commitment to our community. The program has developed partnerships within our codes enforcement and the TRIAD program who routinely nominate residents who meet the parameters for the program and could use the help. The program continues to develop teams and obtain support for equipment and other resources.

For more information about the Helping Hands program, please visit the City’s website.

Article written by askHRgreen.org team member Dan Baxter, Chairman Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission

This month you’ll find tips from askHRgreen.org in the national magazine, Women’s Day! Author Catherine Strawn reached out to askHRgreen.org team member Julia Hillegass and other city leaders to put together 4 tips for building hometown pride. We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to share our ideas with the nation!

Click on this post’s image to read our advice and learn about a “two-minute do-gooder” action you can complete today.

This past weekend was the 3rd annual celebration of the Lafayette RIVERFest, and it was a huge success with over 3,000 visitors, activity booths, the Learning Barge, music, food and more! In case you missed the event, you can check out this video from festival attendee Lizzy B. askHRgreen.org even has a cameo! For more information about the festival, visit www.elizabethriver.org/lafayetteriverfest.

Ever have a moment when the light bulb goes off over your head? Well, mine came in the form of “practice what you preach.” Let me tell you a little story about my epiphany with bottled water. A few months ago, we started a weight loss challenge at work. One of my goals was to stop drinking soda and start drinking more water. So, I went to the store and stocked up on cases upon cases of bottled water.

My first epiphany happened when I realized how much I was spending on bottled water. Then I noticed I was getting buried under a mountain of empty plastic bottles and to make it worse, I was not making sure they all made it into the recycling bin…another epiphany. After my light bulb went off, I grabbed my handy reusable water bottle and started filling it with tap water immediately. Needless to say, I have since saved time, money and lots of trash bags. A reusable water bottle is really the way to go. It’s amazing how easily we take for granted the value of tap water. It’s not just good for your health, it’s good for your wallet and our environment, too!

Speaking of reusable water bottles…when you’re on the go, there are local businesses in the Hampton Roads area that participate in a program called TapIt where they will refill your reusable water bottle free of charge. You can visit askhrgreen.org/TapIt for more information. If you own a local cafe or eatery, or know someone who does, click here to learn how easy it is to become a TapIt partner.

Anyone remember the DARE programs from back in elementary school?  Drug Abuse Resistance Education.  Maybe it was just a 90’s thing, but I can practically sing the song for you.  “DARE!  To keep the kids off druuuuugs!”  

Sorry, I digress.

What I’m getting at is that it seems we need a new program for another victim of the drug war: fish.

A recent study found that even tiny traces of drugs in our waterways can mess with the “natural balance” of fish.  For example, the study looked at wild European perch in an aquarium that were exposed to small amounts of an anti-anxiety drug.  The fish changed after the exposure to the drug: they moved more, fed more aggressively and, basically, weren’t as scared.  Sounds like no big deal, but in fact, even the smallest of unnatural behavioral changes can affect breeding and make them more vulnerable to predators. 

Believe it or not, medications get into our waterways through treated wastewater because treatment plants just aren’t designed for their removal.  That means flushing old medications down the toilet or washing them down the drain will send these substances to the fishies after a quick stop at the treatment plant.  They can also pose a public harm when haphazardously thrown in the garbage (drug abusers and animals can get to them). 

There are a few options for proper disposal.  This Saturday, April 27, is the 6^th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There are locations all around Hampton Roads – visit this website to find a location near you.   If you miss this event, you can also ask your local pharmacy if they participate in a take back program.

If these aren’t options, askHRgreen.org suggests you dispose of medications by crushing or dissolving it in water and mixing it with kitty litter, sawdust or something that would make it undesirable for human or animal consumption.  Then put the destroyed substance back into the original bottle, making sure to mark out any personal information.  Leave it labeled with the name of the medication in the event it’s accidentally or intentionally swallowed and needs to be identified.  Then, dispose of it with your regular garbage.