This year’s Thanksgiving is going to look a little different, thanks to the pandemic. But some Richmondites are creating new traditions to show their thanks.
Richmondite Chris Pereira is encouraging residents to take part in their Thanksgiving long weekend neighourhood cleanup on Oct. 10.
People are welcome to drop by the Terra Nova Park at 10 a.m. to get some free garbage bags, gloves and tongs to join the event.
The cleanup is a fun and safe activity to get people out and about while maintaining social distancing and doing good for the community, according to Pereira, who came up with the idea after coming across a recent post from a Richmond Facebook group saying there is so much garbage littering Terry Nova Park.
“This year is a tough year for everyone because of COVID-19, so any chance we get to come together as a community to give back is important. I would like to see if Richmond becomes a role model for other cities across Canada to do similar things,” said Pereira.
This isn’t the first time Pereira has organized a community cleanup. He held one a month ago and received great feedback.
When he and other volunteers were out on the trails picking up cans and bottles last month, people riding by would call out, ‘You guys did a great job,’ while people driving by often honked their support, Pereira recalled.
People who don’t feel comfortable doing things as a group are encouraged to pick up garbage while walking on their own and share photos of their good works on social media.
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