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An open call from Mayor Nutter

To the Community:

During last year's 1st Annual Philly Spring Cleanup, friends, family and neighbors got together, rolled up their sleeves and went to work cleaning our neighborhoods and parks. The first Philly Spring Cleanup set a record as the largest single-day cleanup effort in U.S. history. Here are some of the remarkable results:

More than 15,000 volunteers came out to help.

More than 3,500 blocks, 71 commercial corridors, 28 recreation centers and 27 Fairmount Park sites were cleaned and revitalized.

More than 2.5 million pounds of trash and 48,000 pounds of recyclables were collected.

Last year's cleanup effort is something that we can be proud of, and I commend all of those who helped out. Over the past year, citizens across the City have been asking me, "Are we doing the Cleanup again this year?"

When I've spoken with you, I can feel your pride when you tell me about what's happening in your communities and share your willingness to work together to keep them clean and vibrant. So, back by popular demand, I'd like to announce the City's 2nd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup, set to take place on April 4, from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

The theme of this year's effort is "Building Sustainable Communities," and the goal will expand beyond trash pick-up and planting trees. These projects are vital to a successful cleanup, but I hope that other beautification projects, like graffiti removal and the restoration of our neighborhood murals will encourage the trend of preserving Philadelphia's artistic and cultural appeal. If all of us do our part, we can keep Philadelphia sustainable so future generations of families and workers will have an opportunity to live and work in a world-class city.

Things nowadays are tough, and I recognize the hardships that many of you are facing as recent challenges have grown in their complexities. I've listened to stories of many of you who have sacrificed in order to adjust to the realities that all of us are facing. But along with these serious challenges comes an opportunity to join together once again and pitch in to keep up with that immense pride that's still very much alive in communities across Philadelphia.

Living and working in a cleaner city may not solve our problems, but taking a walk around a clean block or through a park, enjoying the murals or a revitalized recreation center can provide all of us a stronger resolve to deal with our common challenges together.

To learn more about the Philly Spring Cleanup and project locations for this year's effort, please log onto www.phillyspringcleanup.com or call 3-1-1. There, you will find details of projects in YOUR neighborhoods and at various locations across the city. You can sign up individually or as a group to work on a variety of projects. I'm looking forward to April 4, and hope to see you there!

Mayor Michael Nutter

The author is the mayor of Philadelphia

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